Methanol

Methanol Institute: Breakthroughs and Strategic Moves in Sustainable Marine Fuels (Week 23, 3-9 June 2024)

This week, the maritime industry made pivotal advancements in methanol fuel technology, forged strategic partnerships, and achieved key regulatory milestones, highlighting a concerted effort toward greener marine operations.

Published

7 months ago

June 14, 2024

Admin

The Methanol Institute, provides an exclusive weekly commentary on developments related to the adoption of methanol as a bunker fuel, including significant related events recorded during the week, for the readers of bunkering publication Manifold Times:

More heavy hitters are getting behind the supply of methanol to marine customers as the demand for newbuildings continues to strengthen.

The ramp-up in biofuels provided by energy major ExxonMobil are expected to support the industry’s decarbonization process as owners place further orders, vessels hit the water and new bunkering operations are planned.

Methanol marine fuel related developments for Week 23 of 2024:

ExxonMobil Expands Marine Biofuels Offering for Shipping Industry
Date: June 4, 2024

Key Points: ExxonMobil is expanding its marine biofuels offering, actively engaging with multiple customers, including Hapag Lloyd and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Recent deliveries from its Fawley refinery to several UK ports have demonstrated successful biofuel use without engine modifications. Biofuels are expected to play a significant role in the first phase of shipping's decarbonization, with a future shift towards methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. ExxonMobil is exploring technologies and pathways to meet the industry's low-emission fuel needs.

DNV: Growing Demand for Methanol-Fueled Vessels Evident in May Newbuild Orders
Date: June 4, 2024

Key Points: DNV's recent data shows a significant increase in orders for methanol-fueled vessels, with 23 out of 33 new orders in May being methanol-powered. This trend highlights the maritime industry’s growing appetite for methanol as a viable alternative fuel, driven by its lower emissions and alignment with decarbonization goals. Methanol's role is increasingly pivotal as the shipping sector seeks sustainable and compliant fuel options to meet future environmental regulations.

NKT Orders Methanol-Powered Cable-Laying Vessel
Date: June 5, 2024

Key Points: NKT has ordered a 176-meter dual-fuel cable-laying vessel, the NKT Eleonora, capable of running on methanol, HVO, and MDO. Scheduled for operation in 2027, this vessel reflects NKT's commitment to sustainability and enhancing installation capacity. The decision to build a methanol-fueled vessel aligns with NKT’s strategic goal of providing greener power cable solutions, supporting the industry's shift towards environmentally friendly fuels.

Hagland Shipping Orders Methanol-Convertible Bulk Carriers
Date: June 5, 2024

Key Points: Hagland Shipping has ordered four 5,000 DWT dry bulk carriers from Dutch shipyard Royal Bodewes. These vessels are designed to be easily converted to methanol propulsion in the future, reducing CO2 emissions by 40-50% and NOx emissions by 90-95% compared to the oldest ships in their fleet. The first ship is expected to be delivered by the end of 2025, enhancing Hagland's commitment to sustainability and emission reduction in Northern Europe and the Baltic region.

Headway Technology Group Opens New Office in Greece
Date: June 6, 2024

Key Points: Headway Technology Group (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. has inaugurated a new office in Greece, coinciding with the first day of the Posidonia 2024 exhibition. This expansion aims to strengthen Headway's presence in the European low-carbon shipping sector, providing enhanced technical support and services. The new office will showcase Headway's methanol fuel supply systems and other green technologies, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable maritime solutions and supporting the global shift towards low-emission shipping practices.

Vopak Partners to Establish Green Methanol Bu Methanol Bunkering in China
Date: June 6, 2024

Key Points: Vopak has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the vice mayor of Tianjin to develop a green methanol bunkering operation in Northern China's Tianjin port. This initiative aims to repurpose existing infrastructure for new energy projects, positioning Tianjin as a crucial logistics hub for green methanol development. The partnership with Tianjin Port Group underscores Vopak's commitment to supporting sustainable maritime fuels and contributing to the global energy transition.

New Methanol-Ready Fallpipe Vessel Named "Yellowstone"
Date: June 7, 2024

Key Points: DEME Group's new fallpipe vessel, the 37,000 DWT "Yellowstone," has been officially named in a ceremony held in Zeebrugge, Belgium. The vessel, designed for future conversion to methanol dual-fuel propulsion, features a hybrid power plant with a 1 MWh Li-ion battery. The naming ceremony, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid, underscores DEME's commitment to innovation and sustainability in marine operations.

Photo credit: The Methanol Institute
Published: 14 June 2024

Related Topics:Bunker fuel - Methanol Port & Regulatory - Decarbonisation

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Methanol

China: Shanghai Port commences regular methanol bunkering operations

Port carried out the first STS bunkering during simultaneous operations for large methanol-powered container ships for this year in Yangshan Port Area on 1 January, says SIPG.

Published

5 days ago

January 8, 2025

Admin

Ane Maersk during Shanghai Port's first methanol bunkering for 2025

Editor's note [8 January 2025]: Photo updated.

Shanghai Port has begun regular methanol bunkering services following its inaugural refuelling operation for this year, according to Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) on Friday (3 January).

The port carried out the first ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation during simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) for large methanol-powered container ships for 2025 in Yangshan Port Area on 1 January.

SIPG’s bunkering vessel Hai Gang Zhi Yuan refuelled Ane Maersk with 3,000 metric tonnes (mt) of green methanol. The event also marked the second time the same bunkering vessel refuelled Ane Maersk.

The first-ever STS green methanol bunkering operation in Shanghai Port took place in April 2024 involving Astrid Maersk, which also marked the first green methanol bunkering in China.

Shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) announced the first green methanol bunkering with simultaneous cargo and bunkering operations in China, involving its containership Astrid Maersk.

Hai Gang Zhi Yuan is the first methanol bunkering vessel in the port.

Manifold Times previously reported SIPG stating Shanghai Port’s goal is to reach an LNG bunkering capacity of 1 million cubic meters (m3) and a green methanol bunkering capacity of 1 million mt by 2030, achieving a “double-million” target.

Currently, Shanghai Port operates two LNG bunkering vessels and one methanol bunkering vessel, with plans to add one more of each soon.

In 2023, SIPG also signed a MoU with Maersk to explore green methanol fuel vessel-to-vessel bunkering operation after the delivery of Maersk’s green methanol container vessels in 2024.

Photo credit: A.P. Moller – Maersk
Published: 8 January, 2025

Alternative Fuels

Shanghai Port ramps up LNG and methanol bunkering to achieve ‘double-million’ target

Shanghai Port’s goal is to reach an LNG bunkering capacity of 1 million cubic meters and a green methanol bunkering capacity of 1 million metric tonnes by 2030, says SIPG.

Published

6 days ago

January 7, 2025

Admin

CMA CGM achieves 100th SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation in Shanghai

Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) recently said Shanghai Port’s goal is to reach an LNG bunkering capacity of 1 million cubic meters (m3) and a green methanol bunkering capacity of 1 million metric tonnes (mt) by 2030, achieving a “double-million” target.

Shanghai Port has completed 125 bonded LNG bunkering operations for international vessels, with a total bunkering volume of 730,000 m3 in 2024.

“LNG bunkering services are becoming regular services at the port, with expected annual bunkering volume reaching 450,000 m3 in 2024, a growth of over 70%,” it said.

Shanghai Port is also on track to achieve full coverage of LNG bunkering for its container terminals.

In April last year, Shanghai Port successfully completed China’s first green methanol bunkering operation for a large container vessel, marking a historic milestone for China.

Shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) announced the first green methanol bunkering with simultaneous cargo and bunkering operations in China, involving its containership Astrid Maersk.

By 2025, Shanghai Port will establish regular green methanol bunkering services.

Currently, Shanghai Port operates two LNG bunkering vessels and one methanol bunkering vessel, with plans to add one more of each soon.

Manifold Times previously reported SIPG signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korea-based integrated logistics company HMM to cooperate in the supply of clean marine fuel, focusing on bunkering methanol and LNG at Shanghai Port.

In 2023, SIPG also signed a MoU with Maersk to explore green methanol fuel vessel-to-vessel bunkering operation after the delivery of Maersk’s green methanol container vessels in 2024.

Photo credit: Shanghai International Port Group
Published: 7 January, 2025

Methanol

GENA Solutions: Total renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline rises from 39.9 to 41.2 Mt by 2030

Information shared by the Methanol Institute meant to assist the maritime industry in the adoption of methanol as a mainstream marine fuel heading into IMO 2030/2050.

Published

6 days ago

January 7, 2025

Admin

GENA Solutions: Total renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline rises from 39.9 to 41.2 Mt by 2030

The Methanol Institute recently shared with Manifold Times the renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline December 2024 release produced by GENA Solutions Oy (Green Energy Analytics).

Information from the release is meant to provide the bunkering publication’s readers with insight on renewable methanol availability, and to assist the maritime industry in the adoption of methanol as a mainstream marine fuel heading into IMO 2030/2050.

Key highlights of the December 2024 release are as follows:

The renewable methanol project pipeline increased from 31.8 Mt in November to 33.0 Mt in December (+1.2 Mt). The total renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline grew from 39.9 Mt to 41.2 Mt.
As of December 2024, GENA tracks 115 e-methanol plants and projects with total capacity of 18.3 Mt, 83 biomethanol plants and projects with total capacity of 14.7 Mt, and 14 low-carbon methanol plants and projects with total capacity of 8.1 Mt.
Nine projects were added in the December release: eight in China and one in the United States. One project was excluded from the Project Navigator.
Two renewable methanol projects in China have started construction during the last month, and one project has started engineering. Currently, 2.5 Mt of renewable methanol facilities are under construction, which represents a 1.8 Mt increase compared to January 2024.
The renewable methanol project pipeline has increased by 15.1 Mt (+84%) from January to December 2024, while low-carbon methanol increased by 3.8 Mt (+88%).
Renewable methanol capacity by 2030 could reach 7.5 Mt in the Advanced Projects scenario, 13.7 Mt in the Higher Probability Projects scenario, and 3.1 Mt in the After FID Projects scenario.