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Methanol Institute: ‘Plausible’ business opportunity, lower barriers to entry for methanol bunkering first movers

Discussions around the need to develop methanol bunkering operations are taking place at numerous ports ahead of estimated demand of above 7M mtpa by 2030, says Chris Chatterton of Methanol Institute.

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Credible business opportunities are available for ‘first movers’ of methanol bunkering due to expected deliveries of methanol-fuelled vessels from 2024, states the Chief Operating Officer at Methanol Institute.

Front view of methanol bunkering pump room with vapour recovery tank Stena Germanica
Front view of methanol bunkering pump room with vapour recovery tank - Stena Germanica

‘With a number of methanol dual-fuel vessels expected to come into service within the next 12 to 16 months, we are expecting physical bunkering opportunities of up to an estimated one million metric tonnes of methanol per annum,” Chris Chatterton told bunkering publication Manifold Times.

“However, currently, approved commercial facilities for methanol bunkering are limited at any of the major ports for any of these newbuilds to refuel.”

According to Chatterton, the lack of methanol bunkering capacity was partly due to methanol dual-fuel vessel owners not having announced where they would choose to safely bunker methanol and what specification of methanol (conventional, lower carbon, or carbon neutral).

The group is still deciding on where to source the material, how to ensure its efficient transportation into the declared port as a bunker fuel, and at a price which supports the business case for switching fuels – allowing them to remain competitive while reducing emissions.

Conventional methanol as a product, based on natural gas, which significantly reduces PM, SOx and NOx, in addition to lowering CO2 by up to 15%, is meanwhile widely available at over 100 international ports due to its legacy as a petrochemical feedstock.

“Sheer availability of methanol is extremely high. Unfortunately, ‘formally approved’ physical delivery mechanisms of methanol as a bunker fuel, with the exception of Rotterdam and Gothenburg ports, is presently very limited, but expected to change very soon,” he explained.

For example, the Stena Germannica which has been bunkered shore-to-ship since about 2015 without incident very recently began STS bunkering under operations by Methanex, the Port of Gothenburg and tanker operator E&S.

Many methanol, dual-fuel product carriers, such as those of Waterfront Shipping, have been involved with ship-to-ship transfers of methanol as a fuel for some time – since 2016; bunkering methanol in Ulsan, New Plymouth, Geismar, Trinidad, Punta Arenas, Houston, Rotterdam, Onsan and Taicang, to name a few. Proman has also begun bunkering their dual-fuel product carriers in a similar fashion.

“The expected demand is already there, based on the number of dual-fuel methanol vessels on order, so it’s really a situation of bunkering agents and vessel operators coming together to collaborate on how to secure and store methanol bunkers with an appropriate specification and safely transfer them,” he stated.

“The opportunity is out there.”

Methanol Institute, which serves as the trade association for the global methanol industry, estimates low barriers of entry for a bunkering firm to start methanol marine refuelling operations, compared to other alternative fuels.

Rear view of methanol bunkering pump room complete with low flash point fit for purpose vapour and flame detection technology as well as circuit breakers Stena Germanica
Rear view of methanol bunkering pump room complete with low flash point, “fit for purpose” vapour and flame detection technology as well as circuit breakers - Stena Germanica

“Estimates to convert an 8,000 to 10,000 dwt bunkering vessel for methanol bunkering have been pegged at less than EUR 100,000 (USD 108,000),” highlighted Chatterton.

“It’s not as much of a financial commitment to get involved, at least in comparison to other, alternative fuels. Safe handling of methanol is well understood, as a liquid at ambient temperature, with formal training programs readily available.

“Most existing bunkering firms can compete in this market with some training, best practice transfer and minimal investment. After which, coordinating with the local port authority to allow for safe methanol bunkering and then following locally approved guidelines to ensure incident-free bunkering services is critical.”

RelatedMethanol Institute: ‘Turning point’ for methanol as bunker fuel reached with A.P. Moller – Maersk leading change
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RelatedWorld-unique methanol bunkering operation carried out in the Port of Gothenburg
RelatedSNIC 2022: Kenoil shares green methanol bunkering endeavour and firm’s contribution to supply value chain
RelatedMaersk makes first green methanol investment of 2023 in tech start-up C1
RelatedMaersk and Jordan government sign MoU to explore green methanol production
RelatedMaersk and Spanish government to explore opportunities for large-scale green fuels production

Photo credit: Gothenburg Port Authority
Published: 1 February, 2023

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Bunker Fuel

TMD Energy becomes first Malaysian bunker supplier to list on NYSE American

Straits Energy Resources’ subsidiary announces that its shares have been listed on 21 April, becoming the first Malaysian marine bunker supplier to achieve a listing on a major US exchange.

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TMD Energy Limited (TMD Energy), a Malaysia and Singapore-based provider of integrated marine bunkering services and a Straits Energy Resources Berhad (SER) subsidiary, on Tuesday (22 April) announced that its shares have been listed on 21 April and began trading on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol “TMDE”.

Dato’ Sri Ron Ho Kam Choy, Chairman, Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer of TMD Energy, said: “We are proud to become the first Malaysian marine bunker supplier to achieve a listing on a major US exchange, reinforcing our position as one of the industry’s leading players.

“Leveraging Malaysia’s strategic location along major shipping routes including the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, as well as resilient demand for bunker fuel in the region and globally, we are well positioned for further expansion. On top of that, TMD Energy is also the first Malaysian company to list on the NYSE American.

“Our listing in NYSE American will help us to enhance our international profile, expand our reach, capture new markets, and deliver sustainable, higher returns to our shareholders.”

TMD Energy’s share price opened at USD 3.26 on Monday, rising to an all-time high of USD 4.12 on its market debut before closing at USD 3.63, which was 11.69% higher than its initial public offering (IPO) price of USD 3.25 per share. This gave the company a market capitalisation of USD 83.85 million (equivalent to approximately MYR 367.2 million) on its first day as a publicly listed company.

TMD Energy’s IPO was priced at USD 3.25 per share, and total gross proceeds (excluding the over-allotments) before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses were approximately USD 10.08 million (equivalent to approximately MYR 44.13 million). 

Proceeds from the IPO will be used for the purchase of cargo oil; defraying listing expenses; and working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The company has granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an aggregate of 465,000 additional shares to cover over-allotments at the IPO price, If the underwriter exercises their option to purchase the additional shares in full, the total gross proceeds before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses from the offering are expected to be approximately USD 11.59 million.

Dato’ David Yoong Leong Yan, Executive Director of TMD Energy, said: “Our debut on the NYSE American is a key milestone in our journey of growth. While continuing to drive strong organic growth, as part of our strategic growth initiatives, we remain focused on identifying and pursuing strategic mergers and acquisition opportunities that align with our long- term vision and strengthen our regional presence.”

Manifold Times previously reported SER announcing its proposal to list its oil bunkering segment via the listing and quotation of the ordinary shares in its 76.68%-owned subsidiary, TMD Energy, on the New York Stock Exchange American (NYSE American).

TMD Energy and its subsidiaries (TMD Energy Group) are mainly involved in marine fuel bunkering services specialising in the supply and marketing of marine gas oil and marine fuel oil to various types of ships and vessels at sea. In addition, the company provides vessel chartering services and vessel management services.

TMD Energy Group operates in 19 ports across Malaysia, with a fleet of 15 well-maintained bunkering vessels with capacities ranging from 540 dwt to 7,820 dwt, of which nine are double-bottom and double-hull vessels with an average cargo-carrying capacity of 4,200 dwt each. Its customers include ship owners and operators, shipping lines, logistics and freight companies, as well as oil and gas traders or brokers. 

TMD Energy’s growth strategy includes expanding its market presence across Southeast Asia, growing its bunkering fleet, providing ship management services to external customers and diversifying its fuel offering to include eco-friendly alternative fuels such as biodiesel.

TMD Energy is part of SER, a Fortune Southeast Asia 500 company listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities. 

Related: Malaysia: Straits Energy plans to list subsidiary TMD Energy on NYSE American

 

Photo credit: TMD Energy
Published: 22 April, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

New MOL vessel to be supplied LNG bunker fuel in Japan before voyage to Australia

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to “Verde Heraldo” through shore-to-ship bunkering at Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

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New MOL vessel to be supplied LNG bunker fuel in Japan before voyage to Australia

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) on Friday (18 April) said the naming and delivery ceremony for the LNG-fuelled Capesize bulker, which MOL ordered for JFE Steel Corporation, was held at the Saijo Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding. 

The vessel was named the Verde Heraldo, which means “Green Pioneer” in Spanish, by JFE Steel President and CEO Masayuki Hirose. MOL executives including President & CEO Hashimoto were also on hand for the ceremony.

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to the vessel through shore-to-ship bunkering at the Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

The Verde Heraldo will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel's mills, providing both reduced environmental impact and safe and reliable marine transport services.

About Verde Heraldo

LOA: 299.99 m
Breadth: 50.00 m
Draft: 18.436 m
Deadweight tonnage: 210,321 tonnes
Shipyards: Imabari Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard 

 

Photo credit: Mitsui OSK Lines
Published: 22 April, 2025

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Business

ENGINE: Adverse weather keeps bunker operations suspended in Zhoushan’s OPL area

Bunker deliveries at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages have been suspended due to rough weather; some suppliers expect to fully resume operations in OPL area by 22 April.

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Zhoushan Port Anchorage

Bunker deliveries at Zhoushan’s Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages have been suspended since Saturday due to rough weather, according to a source on Monday (21 April). 

However, bunker operations have resumed this morning at Zhoushan’s more sheltered Xiushandong anchorage and the inner anchorage of Mazhi.

The port is currently experiencing strong wind gusts of 24–27 knots and swells approaching one meter.

Several suppliers expect to fully resume bunkering operations in the OPL area by tomorrow (22 April), the source said.

By Tuhin Roy

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 22 April, 2025

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