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:

We know that the transition of the maritime industry to net zero carbon emissions requires an end to end approach across the value chain. This week provided evidence of the need to collaborate and co-ordinate in the supply chain from fuel production to cargo transport. 

Plans for new fuel production across multiple global sites will feed expanded bunkering facilities with fuels able to be supplied to new global standards and consumed on new dual fuel vessels built or retrofitted for the purpose.

Methanol marine fuel related developments for Week 47 of 2024:

Maersk Completes First Methanol Retrofit of Large Containership, Expands Green Fleet

Date: November 18, 2024

Key Points:

AP Moller-Maersk has completed its first retrofit of a large containership, the Maersk Halifax, to dual-fuel methanol propulsion. The retrofit, carried out at the Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China, lasted 88 days and included expanding the vessel’s hull to accommodate larger fuel tanks, increasing its capacity from 15,000 TEU to 15,690 TEU.

The vessel successfully underwent sea trials and has resumed operations on the Trans-Pacific trade route. Maersk highlighted that retrofitting existing ships can complement newbuilds in transitioning to low-emission fuels, advancing the company’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. This retrofit serves as a pilot project, with Maersk planning to integrate lessons learned into future conversions of its fleet.

Chimbusco Pan Nation Partners with Towngas for Methanol Bunker Fuel Distribution in Hong Kong

Date: November 19, 2024

Key Points:

Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical Co, a leading marine fuel supplier, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hong Kong and China Gas Company (Towngas) to develop the distribution of green methanol as a bunker fuel in Hong Kong. This collaboration will focus on supplying methanol produced by Towngas, which is certified under ISCC EU and ISCC Plus standards. The biomethanol is derived from biomass and municipal waste at a production facility in Ordos, Inner Mongolia.

This agreement aligns with Chimbusco Pan Nation’s long-term strategy to promote alternative marine fuels and enhance Hong Kong’s position as a green maritime hub. Calvin Chung Dik-hong, the company’s director, highlighted the importance of this partnership in advancing sustainable maritime initiatives.

Hong Kong Unveils Green Bunkering Action Plan with Methanol and LNG Initiatives

Date: November 19, 2024

Key Points:

Hong Kong has launched its “Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering,” targeting the development and adoption of alternative fuels, including methanol and LNG, as part of its maritime decarbonization efforts. The plan includes several key initiatives:

• A pilot ship-to-ship LNG bunkering demonstration scheduled for early 2025.
• A target for green fuels, including methanol and LNG, to constitute at least 200,000 metric tons of its annual fuel demand by 2030.
• Reducing carbon emissions from Hong Kong-registered ships by at least 11% compared to 2019 levels.
• Ensuring 55% of diesel-powered government vessels transition to green fuels by 2026.
• Achieving a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals compared to 2021 levels.
• Encouraging 7% of Hong Kong-registered ships to use green fuels by 2030.

The government will facilitate collaboration between mainland Chinese green fuel suppliers and shipping companies to establish a robust supply chain. This initiative aligns with global emission reduction targets set by the IMO, aiming to maintain Hong Kong as a centre for sustainable maritime practice.

ISO Introduces First International Standards for Methanol as Marine Fuel

Date: November 20, 2024

Key Points:

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has launched ISO 6853:2024, the first global standards for methanol used as a marine fuel. These specifications provide comprehensive guidelines for three methanol grades—MMA, MMB, and MMC—each tailored to meet the operational needs of maritime applications.

The standards address requirements for properties like lubricity, cleanliness, and tolerances. MMA includes stricter cleanliness requirements, while MMC offers broader tolerances to meet varied operational demands. Developed using International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association (IMPCA) guidelines as a baseline, the ISO 6853:2024 fills a critical gap in ensuring consistency and reliability for methanol in marine applications.

This milestone, led by ISO’s working group convened by Chevron’s Monique Vermeire, reflects the growing role of methanol in the decarbonization of maritime shipping. The standards aim to provide clarity for the industry as the adoption of methanol as an alternative fuel accelerates.

Methanol-Ready Vessel AAL Antwerp, Embarks on Maiden Voyage for AAL Shipping

Date: November 21, 2024

Key Points:

AAL Shipping’s newest methanol-ready vessel, AAL Antwerp, has set sail on its maiden voyage following a formal naming ceremony at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China. The 32,000 DWT multipurpose heavy-lift vessel is part of AAL’s third-generation Super B-Class fleet, which includes eight ships designed to meet the demands of the multipurpose (MPP) heavy lift shipping sector.

The vessel joins sister ships AAL Limassol, AAL Hamburg, and AAL Houston in providing project cargo services across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. As AAL celebrates the halfway point of its latest fleet expansion program, the remaining four Super B-Class vessels, including AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai, will be delivered by 2026, offering increased heavy-lift capabilities of up to 800 tonnes 

Liquid Wind Secures €44 Million to Advance eFuel Facility Development Worldwide

Date: November 21, 2024

Key Points:

Swedish eFuel developer Liquid Wind has raised €44 million in Series C financing, marking the largest investment in its history. The funding round, led by Uniper, HYCAP Fund I SCSp (HYCAP), and Samsung Ventures, will support the construction of 10 eFuel production facilities by 2027. This initiative is part of Liquid Wind’s broader vision of establishing 500 facilities globally by 2050.

Each standardized facility will produce up to 100,000 tons of eFuel annually by recycling 150,000 tons of carbon dioxide, aligning with the maritime industry’s demand for low-carbon fuels. This investment bolsters Liquid Wind’s capacity to accelerate production, address sustainability targets, and comply with new maritime fuel regulations.

Uniper, a key partner, highlighted their ongoing collaboration with Liquid Wind, including the NorthStarH2 eMethanol project in Östersund, Sweden. This project aims to produce 100,000 tons of eMethanol annually for the shipping and chemical industries. The partnership emphasizes Uniper’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.

Earlier this year, Liquid Wind collaborated with Alfa Laval, Carbon Clean, Siemens Energy, and Topsoe to establish an eFuel Design and Performance Centre in Denmark. This center focuses on innovating and streamlining the deployment of eFuel production plants, furthering Liquid Wind’s goal to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.

CSL Partnership Orders Two Methanol-Fueled Vessels for Offshore Wind Projects

Date: November 22, 2024

Key Points:

CSL OWL SRI, a new partnership between CSL and OWL, has placed an order for two subsea rock installation (SRI) vessels powered by dual-fuel methanol engines. These vessels, each with a capacity of 17,500 m³, are specifically designed to support the offshore wind energy sector.

Scheduled for delivery in August and November 2026, the vessels are engineered for efficiency and versatility, capable of performing subsea rock installations at depths of up to 100 meters. This development marks a significant step forward in integrating sustainable fuel technology into specialized maritime operations.

Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 28 November, 2024