Methanol

Methanol Institute appoints new Brussels team to drive European operations

Team’s primary focus will be on strengthening MI’s engagement with EU institutions and managing MI’s relationship with IMO, following MI achieving Consultative Status with IMO recently.

Published

7 months ago

September 23, 2024

Admin

Methanol Institute appoints new Brussels team to drive European operations

The Methanol Institute (MI) recently announced the appointment of a new team to lead its European operations from its Brussels office.

Effective immediately, the team will be spearheaded by Tim Eestermans as Managing Director Europe, Dr. Richard Burchill as Director for Research Strategy & Knowledge Exchange Europe, and Rik Servais as Director for Government Affairs & Institutional Strategy Europe.

Their primary focus will be on strengthening MI’s engagement with European Union institutions and managing MI’s relationship with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Notably, MI has recently achieved Consultative Status with the IMO, marking a significant milestone for the organization.

The newly appointed team, that will report to MI’s Brussels-based COO Alexander Döll, brings a wealth of expertise and experience to MI’s European operations.

Tim Eestermans is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in governmental and corporate settings across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Dr. Richard Burchill is a renowned expert in international and EU law, with nearly 30 years of experience in navigating international organizations, including the UN system.

Rik Servais offers over 20 years of specialized knowledge in EU government relations, having worked at the heart of EU decision-making in Brussels.

Gregory Dolan, CEO of the Methanol Institute, said: “We are thrilled to introduce the new leadership team for our Brussels office. Their extensive experience and deep expertise will be invaluable as we continue to foster critical relationships within the European Union and the International Maritime Organization.”

“Their leadership marks a new chapter for MI, and we are confident that their combined skills will drive our mission forward with renewed vigor.”

Ben Iosefa, Methanex executive and chair of the MI Board of Directors, said: ‘’The European Union plays a pivotal role in shaping regulatory and policy frameworks that impact the global methanol industry. Our new team in Brussels is uniquely positioned to enhance our engagement with EU institutions and advocate for policies that support our mission. Their collective expertise will be instrumental in navigating the complex European landscape and advancing our strategic objectives. With our growing membership of 100 global entities, this leadership team will be instrumental in driving our continued growth and amplifying our impact.’’

This team, seconded from MacroScope Strategies (M2S)—a boutique government affairs firm with offices in The Hague, Berlin, Brussels, and Abu Dhabi—brings additional strategic advantages.

M2S is renowned for its expertise in diplomatic support, market intelligence, and geopolitical analysis, assisting multinational entities in navigating complex regulatory and political landscapes. Under this agreement, M2S will also provide monitoring services and scenario-building exercises to support MI’s European initiatives.

With this new team and strategic partnership, MI will elevate its European operations and further its mission to advance the methanol industry’s interests across Europe and beyond.

Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 23 September, 2024

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Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore

Ofiniti will issue electronic Bunker Delivery Notes, based on the recently published Technical Reference 129 on Methanol Bunkering, across Golden Island’s newbuilds and part of its existing fleet.

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April 29, 2025

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Ofiniti to roll out e-BDNs for Golden Island methanol bunkering operations in Singapore

Ofiniti, a provider of digital solutions for maritime bunker operations, on Tuesday (29 April) said Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Pte Ltd will adopt Ofiniti platforms for its expanding fleet operations.

Ofiniti said the move will lay the foundation for a digital multi-fuel future with Golden Island’s four new chemical tankers on order and Singapore-flagged bunker tanker Golden Antares, which will soon enter service.

As part of the transition, Ofiniti will roll out electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (e-BDNs), based on the recently published Technical Reference (TR) 129 on Methanol Bunkering, across Golden Island’s newbuilds and part of its existing fleet.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), through the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), on 10 March published TR 129 to provide a comprehensive framework for the safe and efficient use of methanol as an alternative fuel for bunkering operations.

Kenny Yap Song Jin, Low Carbon Solutions, Golden Island, said: “Launching our methanol bunkering operations is a major milestone, not just for Golden Island, but for Singapore’s journey toward multi-fuel readiness.

“By combining innovative low-carbon fuels with digital transparency, we set a new benchmark for safe, efficient, and sustainable marine fuel delivery.”

Ofiniti said it has supported suppliers through every stage of the industry’s transition, from conventional fuels to LNG, biofuels, hydrogen, and now, supporting methanol.

Tue Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer, Ofiniti, said: “I’m proud to welcome Golden Island to Ofiniti’s platforms.

“Their move signals a strong trust in our ability to support next-generation operations, and it reflects a broader shift in the market towards digital solutions built specifically for the realities of maritime fuels today and tomorrow.

“We are customer-obsessed, always trying to build in resilience to the way we are doing business.”

Manifold Times previously reported Golden Island’s plans to start bunkering trials of green methanol with its newbuild Singapore-flagged 7,999 dwt IMO type 2 bunker tanker from July.

Golden Antares was scheduled to depart a Chinese shipyard by late April and will lift green methanol produced by Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) before returning to Singapore to begin bunkering trials.

In April, Ofiniti welcomed bunkering and marine fuel solutions provider Global Fuel Supply (GFS) to its FuelBoss platform as one of its newest customers.

GFS said it was proud to be the first physical supplier in West Africa to launch fully digitalised bunker operations with electronic bunker delivery note (e-BDN) via the FuelBoss platform.

Photo credit: Ofiniti
Published: 29 April, 2025

Newbuilding

Wan Hai Lines orders four methanol-ready boxships for USD 816 million

Wan Hai Lines, on behalf of Wan Hai Lines (Singapore), announced it has placed an order for four more 16,000 TEU container vessels from South Korea shipbuilders HD Hyundai Samho and Samsung Heavy Industries.

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24 hours ago

April 29, 2025

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KPI OceanConnect facilitates Wan Hai Lines on its first biofuel delivery in Singapore

Taiwanese operator Wan Hai Lines, on behalf of Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) Pte Ltd, on Thursday (24 April) announced it has placed an order for four more methanol-ready container vessels from two South Korean shipbuilding companies.

According to the company’s stock exchange filings, HD Hyundai Samho, part of HD Hyundai Group, and Samsung Heavy Industries will each build two 16,000 TEU capacity container vessels.

The newbuilding deals amount to a combined value of up to USD 816 million with Wan Hai Lines spending between USD 186.5 million and USD 204 million per unit for the boxships at HD Hyundai, and between USD 187.6 million to USD 204 million for the ones at SHI.

Last year, Wan Hai Lines placed an order with the same South Korean shipbuilders to construct four methanol-fuelled vessels each of the same capacity as the latest order.

Photo credit: Wan Hai Lines
Published: 29 April, 2025

Shipping Corridor

SFOC report proposes green methanol-fuelled Korea-Europe shipping corridor

Corridor will run between Pyeongtaek Port—the largest hub for automobile imports and exports in South Korea—and major European ports of Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Southampton.

Published

5 days ago

April 25, 2025

Admin

SFOC report proposes green methanol-fuelled Korea-Europe green shipping corridor

Korean non-government organisation Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) on Wednesday (23 April) released a report proposing the establishment of a green methanol-fuelled South Korea-Europe shipping corridor.

The proposed corridor will run between Pyeongtaek Port—the largest hub for automobile imports and exports in South Korea—and major European ports of Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Southampton, presenting strategic pathways for the decarbonization of the maritime sector.

South Korea has announced its “Greenship-K Program” to accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly vessels and set a national goal to achieve a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping by 2050.

Focusing on a green methanol-fuelled Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) operation model, the report quantitatively assessed the potential for greenhouse gas reduction along key routes. Notably, the Bremerhaven–Pyeongtaek route alone is estimated to reduce more than 1.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, given its high cargo volume.

The report proposed the adoption of green methanol as the primary fuel for the corridor, with a long-term goal to transition toward e-methanol. This shift is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 70% compared to conventional fossil fuel use.

Beyond fuel switching, the report emphasised the importance of securing a stable green fuel supply chain, establishing supportive legal and institutional frameworks, and fostering close public-private cooperation among shipping companies, cargo owners, port operators, and fuel suppliers to make the corridor a viable reality.

“With these foundational elements in place, Pyeongtaek Port is well positioned to become the starting point of Korea’s transition toward a decarbonised maritime sector,” SFOC said.

Note: The full report by SFOC can be viewed here and it is also available in Korean here.

Photo credit: Solutions for Our Climate
Published: 25 April, 2025