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Methanol Institute: Innovative developments and strategic collaborations (Week 27, 1-7 July 2024)

This week, the maritime industry made pivotal advancements in methanol fuel technology and forged strategic partnerships, reinforcing the maritime industry’s shift towards sustainable fuel alternatives.
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Methanol Institute: Progress and milestones in methanol adoption (Week 49, 2 to 8 Dec 2024)

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:

Groundwork for the energy transition is seeing more and more shipping companies and their stakeholders prepare for lower carbon operations. Contracts are being placed for new vessels, propulsion systems and the infrastructure that will enable wider use of methanol. Owners continue to put their faith in alternatives with orders for 49 methanol fuel ships ordered in the first half of 2024.

Methanol marine fuel related developments for Week 27 of 2024:

Blue World Completes Testing of Methanol Fuel Cell System for Ships

Date: July 1, 2024

Key Points: Blue World Technologies has completed testing on its 200 kW high-temperature PEM fuel cell system for ships, which runs on methanol. The system, boasting up to 55% electrical efficiency at the commercial stage, promises fuel savings of 20-30%. This breakthrough is set to significantly advance maritime decarbonization. A 1 MW pilot system will be installed on one of AP Moller-Maersk’s methanol-fueled boxships in the first half of 2026, marking a key step in reducing emissions in the shipping industry.

Ta San Shang Marine to Construct Third Methanol-Ready Service Operation Vessel

Date: July 1, 2024

Key Points: Ta San Shang Marine Co. Ltd., a joint venture between Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Ta Tong Marine, has signed an agreement with Damen Group for the construction of its third methanol-ready service operation vessel (SOV). This new vessel, designed to be methanol-ready, will enhance the company’s commitment to adopting methanol as a future marine fuel. The agreement underscores the industry’s shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly marine operations.

 41% of Tonnage Ordered in 1H24 Equipped for Alternative Fuels

Date: July 2, 2024

Key Points: According to Clarksons Research, 41% of the tonnage ordered in the first half of 2024 can run on alternative fuels. This includes 109 orders for LNG-fueled ships, 49 for methanol, 15 for ammonia, 42 for LPG, and 4 for hydrogen. While 54% of tonnage orders were alternatively fueled in the same period in 2022, about 50% of the current total order book is capable of using alternative fuels, indicating a strong shift towards sustainable shipping practices.

Consort Bunkers Forms Alternative Fuels Partnership

Date: July 3, 2024

Key Points: Consort Bunkers, along with ClassNK, Yanmar Asia (Singapore) Corporation, and Taiko Asia Pacific, has signed a memorandum of understanding to develop infrastructure for alternative fuels. This includes the construction of four 7,999 DWT tankers by Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry, capable of bunkering biofuels and methanol. In total, Consort Bunkers has ordered 13 tankers, highlighting a commitment to regional and global implementation of alternative fuel use.

Headway Technology to Equip Four Methanol-Fueled Bulk Carriers with Fuel Supply Systems

Date: July 4th, 2024

Key Points: Headway Technology has signed an agreement to provide methanol fuel supply systems for four 89,000 DWT bulk carriers for Fujian Guohang Ocean Shipping. These systems will include bunkering, transfer, fuel treatment, nitrogen systems, and control and security systems. The vessels, built by Wuhu Shipyard, are scheduled for delivery in 2025-26. Additionally, Headway will supply a methanol fuel system for Fratelli Cosulich’s new methanol tanker, due in late 2025.

 

Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 12 July, 2024

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Newbuilding

NYK Group’s first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier “Green Future” delivered

Vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.
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June 17, 2025

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Green Future MT

NYK Group on 13 May received delivery of Green Future, the company’s first methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier, at the TSUNEISHI Factory of TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. where a naming and delivery ceremony was also held, it said on Thursday (14 June).

The vessel will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., an NYK Group company, from KAMBARA KISEN Co., Ltd.

It is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

“Methanol has a lower environmental impact than fuel oil, and by using bio-methanol and e-methanol produced using hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources and recovered carbon dioxide, the vessel achieves significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” it said.

Vessel Particulars
LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tons
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

Related: Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK
Related: Japan: NYK to time-charter its first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier

 

Photo credit: NYK Group
Published: 17 June 2025

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Research

Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center shares concept design of 3,500 TEU ammonia-fuelled containership

Concept design was optimised to achieve the required safety level while also limiting reductions in cargo capacity.
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June 17, 2025

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Maersk concept ammonia vessel

Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping on Thursday (12 June) unveiled a report focusing on the concept design of a 3,500 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) ammonia-fuelled container vessel.

The study presents a detailed concept design of a 3,500 TEU container feeder, developed with a focus on ammonia system design principles.

The concept design was optimised to achieve the required safety level while also limiting reductions in cargo capacity. As a result, this design concept marks an advancement in technically qualifying ammonia as a viable maritime fuel.

“Although the concept design is an important first step in qualifying a fuel pathway, the final design and operational details must ultimately deliver a safe vessel,” it stated.

“We addressed this aspect early in our design process with reference to the technical safety barriers listed above. We confirmed the concept design’s ability to achieve an acceptable safety level through a HAZID, hazard and operability study (HAZOP), and QRA.

“These processes have resulted in two Approvals in Principle of the concept design awarded by ABS and Lloyd’s Register (LR).”

Note: The full report concept design of a 3,500 TEU ammonia-fuelled container vessel may be downloaded here.

 

Photo credit: Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
Published: 17 June 2025

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker sales volume raises to year record high of 4.88 million mt in May

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil jumped 671.7% to 40,900 mt when compared to figures seen in May 2024.
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June 16, 2025

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SG bunker performance May 2025

Bunker fuel sales at Singapore port inched forward by 1.1% on year in May 2025, the highest volume seen in 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.88 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,878,100 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in April, up from 4.83 million mt (4,826,800 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 1.89 million mt (+8.6% from 1.74 million mt), 2.45 million mt (-7.2% from 2.64 million mt), 1,200 mt (from zero), 1,700 mt (-88% from 14,300 mt) and zero (from zero).

SG bunker port performance May 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 40,900 mt (+671.7% from 5,300 mt), 95,800 mt (+97.9% from 48,400 mt), 700 mt (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from 300 mt). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February this year, recorded 1,900 mt of deliveries in May.

LNG and methanol sales were respectively 45,000 mt (-7.8% from 48,800) and zero (from 1,600 mt). There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far in 2025.

Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 4% on year in April 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 8.1% on year in February 2025
Related: Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes reported by Manifold Times tracked since 2018 can be found via the link here.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 16 June 2025

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