Methanol

Methanol Institute: Driving innovation and sustainability in maritime fuel (Week 21, 20-26 May 2024)

Industry leaders advance methanol adoption through new vessel technologies, strategic partnerships, and groundbreaking research, promoting sustainable maritime practices.

Published

8 months ago

May 31, 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:

As orders continue to be placed for methanol dual fuel ships, more new tonnage is hitting the water to support efforts by vessel operators to reduce their carbon emissions and promote sustainable shipping practices. Behind the scenes, work continues on the technology that will drive broader take up of methanol as fuel, with engine platforms and fuel supply systems as well as new methods of e-methanol production.

Methanol marine fuel related developments for Week 21 of 2024:

Singapore's X-Press Feeders Receives Methanol Dual-Fuel Vessel

Date: May 20, 2024

Key Points: Singapore-based X-Press Feeders has received its first dual-fuel vessel built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings. This vessel, capable of running on green methanol, marks a significant advance in sustainable shipping for the company. Departing from Shanghai to Rotterdam via Singapore, it will be part of Europe’s first feeder containership network powered by green methanol starting in Q3 2024. X-Press Feeders has 14 more dual-fuel vessels on order, set for delivery from 2024 to mid-2026, enhancing their fleet's capacity and sustainability efforts.

Headway and DMD Achieve Key Milestones for China's First Methanol Dual-Fuel Marine Engine

Date: May 27, 2024

Key Points: Dalian Marine Diesel (DMD) has achieved significant milestones in the development of China's first methanol dual-fuel marine main engine, completing tests on a methanol dual-fuel platform. The methanol fuel supply system, developed by Headway Technology Group, passed performance and safety tests. This marks a pivotal step in China's marine power equipment sector and highlights Headway's role in advancing low-carbon shipping solutions. Headway plans to continue collaborating with DMD and global partners to provide efficient alternative energy options for ships, promoting decarbonization and sustainable development in the shipping industry.

Alfa Laval Methanol Fuel Supply System Surpasses 100 Orders

Date: May 23, 2024

Key Points: Alfa Laval has surpassed 100 orders for its FCM Methanol low-flashpoint fuel supply system (LFSS), reflecting the growing adoption of methanol as a marine fuel. This milestone aligns with the increased newbuilding orders for methanol-capable vessels, which now total over 250 globally. Introduced in 2015, the success of FCM Methanol is attributed to partnerships with engine designers, shipyards, and shipowners. Alfa Laval continues to develop fuel treatment solutions to support the maritime industry's climate targets.

Ahti Pool: Alternative Fuels to Overtake Traditional Bunkers by 2040

Date: May 22, 2024

Key Points: Ahti CEO Risto Kariranta predicts that alternative fuels will surpass traditional bunkers by 2040, driven by FuelEU Maritime's incentives for low-carbon fuels. Methanol, as one of these alternatives, is expected to play a significant role due to its lower carbon intensity. Companies like AP Moller-Maersk, COSCO, Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Svitzer are investing in methanol-capable vessels, contributing to the shift towards alternative fuels. The study finds that one vessel operating in e-methanol using the pooling mechanism of FuelEU Maritime can make 75 HFO-fuelled vessels compliant.

MHI and NGK Collaborate to Develop Membrane Dehydration Systems for Cost-Effective E-Methanol Production

Date: May 24, 2024

Key Points: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and NGK Insulators have announced a collaboration to develop membrane dehydration systems aimed at reducing the production costs of e-methanol. This initiative is part of a broader effort to optimize the efficiency of manufacturing processes for e-methanol, a next-generation clean marine fuel. The project is expected to meet the rising demand for clean fuels and raw materials as the shipping industry moves towards decarbonization.

Methanol-Fuelled Tanker "Stena Prosperous" Officially Named in Singapore

Date: May 24, 2024

Key Points: Proman Stena Bulk's methanol-fuelled tanker, "Stena Prosperous," was officially named during a ceremony at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore. The 49,900 DWT vessel will use a 20/80 blend of green and conventional methanol, offering 31% CO2e savings compared to voyages using VLSFO. This vessel is the last of six in the joint venture's fleet, all of which are now in commercial operation, highlighting methanol's role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable shipping practices.

Photo credit: The Methanol Institute
Published: 31 May, 2024

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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.