Connect with us

Methanol

Methanol Institute: Progress in methanol integration across shipping and energy sectors (Week 47, 18 to 24 Nov 2024)

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 for new dual fuel vessels built or retrofitted.

Admin

Published

2 years ago

on

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:

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

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Business

Hercules Tanker Management acquires five product and chemical tankers

Acquisitions form part of a broader and ongoing fleet development programme at Hercules; programme also includes investing in the construction of an 18,000 cbm LNG bunkering vessel at Hyundai Mipo.
Admin

Published

2 days ago

on

June 2, 2026

By

Hercules Tanker Management plans fleet expansion with new chemical bunker tankers

Hercules Tanker Management (HTM) on Monday (1 June) announced the acquisition of five product and chemical tankers as part of its continued fleet expansion.

HTM is the shipping venture launched by John A. Bassadone, founder and CEO of independent marine fuel supplier Peninsula.

The company acquired STI Madison (2014 LR2), STI Brooklyn (2015 MR2) and STI Black Hawk (2015 MR2) – acquired from Scorpio Tankers; and Nord Marvel (2020 MR2) and Nord Maverick (2020 MR2) – acquired from Norden.

 The acquisitions represent a combined investment of approximately USD 225 million, with all vessels secured on long-term commercial charters, reinforcing Hercules’ strategy of pairing asset ownership with contracted earnings visibility.

“The acquisitions have been completed against the backdrop of a firm tanker asset market, with second-hand values continuing to trade at historically elevated levels due to strong freight markets, constrained fleet growth and limited shipyard availability,” the company said. 

 All five vessels enter the Hercules fleet with long-term commercial employment already secured, consistent with the company’s strategy of combining asset-backed exposure to tanker markets, with downside protection through contracted earnings, and operational flexibility to serve the growing global cargo flows of its partners and affiliates.

The acquisitions form part of a broader and ongoing fleet development programme at Hercules. 

The company continues to progress its newbuilding programme with Jiangmen Hangtong Shipyard in China, where it has committed to a series of up to 10 ‘ultra-spec’ chemical tankers, designed with flexibility to supply conventional fuels, biofuels and methanol, alongside enhanced efficiency and emissions performance. 

In parallel, Hercules is also investing in next-generation energy infrastructure through the construction of an 18,000 cbm LNG bunkering vessel at Hyundai Mipo, scheduled for delivery in 2027.

Market benchmarks indicate vessels of this type are currently contracting at approximately USD 90–95 million per unit, underlining the strategic and capital commitment behind this segment.

John A. Bassadone, Founder and CEO of Hercules Tanker Management, said: “This is another step in building Hercules carefully and deliberately. We are not trying to grow for growth’s sake. Our focus is on acquiring the right assets, at the right time, with the right commercial backing.

“These vessels come with strong employment already in place, which provides stability, while still allowing us to participate in a market we believe has solid fundamentals over the medium term. We are fortunate to be in a position where global cargo flows can underpin our investments, and we remain mindful that discipline is critical in this cycle.

“Additionally, we are currently engaged in negotiations for newbuilds of all sizes including LR2s, MRs, and Handys, as well as additional ultra spec vessels.”

Related: Peninsula founder launches shipping firm Hercules Tanker Management
Related: Hercules Tanker Management plans fleet expansion with new chemical bunker tankers
Related: Hercules Tanker Management orders LNG bunkering vessel from Hyundai Mipo

 

Photo credit: Hercules Tanker Management
Published: 2 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Methanol

GENA Solutions: Total renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline rises from 61 to 61.6 Mt by 2031

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.
Admin

Published

2 days ago

on

June 2, 2026

By

GENA Solutions: Total renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline rises from 61 to 61.6 Mt by 2031

The Methanol Institute recently shared with Manifold Times the renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline May 2026 release produced by GENA Solutions Oy.

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 takeaways from GENA’s May 2026 Methanol release are as follows:

  • A biomethanol project in China signed an EPC contract in May. GENA estimates that more than 3 Mt of biomethanol and e-methanol capacity is currently under construction in China.
  • Six new projects were added to Project Navigator, while five frozen projects were excluded. The project pipeline increased by 0.6 Mt month on month.
  • Project Navigator tracks 282 renewable and low-carbon methanol projects, representing 61.6 Mt of capacity by 2031, including 24.9 Mt of e-methanol, 25.6 Mt of biomethanol, and 11.2 Mt of low-carbon methanol.
  • GENA estimates that renewable methanol capacity could grow from 0.9 Mt in 2025 to 1.5 Mt by the end of 2026, 2.2–2.4 Mt in 2027, and 5-12 Mt in 2030.
  • Europe accounts for more than 10 Mt of renewable and low-carbon methanol projects, about 79% of which use hydrogen as one of the feedstocks.
  • More than 31 Mt of projects are under development in China, with biomass gasification accounting for 61% of the pipeline.
  • North America accounts for more than 10 Mt of projects, mainly using CCS.

Note: The full article can be viewed here.

Renewable methanol 1

Renewable methanol by feedstock 9

Renewable methanol by region 8

Renewable methanol by status 1

Renewable methanol capacity scenarios 2

 

Photo credit: GENA Solutions
Published: 2 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Methanol

Maritime Blue calls for proposals on methanol bunker barge design

Maritime Blue, in collaboration with the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Northwest Seaport Alliance, and ABS, is seeking a naval architecture firm to develop design schematics for a methanol bunker barge.
Admin

Published

6 days ago

on

May 29, 2026

By

RESIZED Venti Views on Unsplash

Maritime Blue, in collaboration with the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Northwest Seaport Alliance, and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), is seeking a qualified naval architecture firm to develop design schematics for a methanol bunker barge.

A Request for Proposals (RFP), issued on 11 May, invited companies to submit a proposal for the barge, which will be used as the supply ship in a ship-to-ship methanol bunkering exercise during a high level risk assessment workshop planned for September 2026. 

The design is intended for a desktop exercise to identify operational requirements and safety gaps for green methanol bunkering in the Seattle-Tacoma Gateway.

The bunker barge is expected to have a methanol capacity of approximately 30,000 bbls but contractors may propose alternative capacities with justification. 

The receiving ship for the workshop has not been selected yet, but is anticipated to be a cargo, container, cruise, or ro-ro ship.

Maritime Blue said the submission deadline for the proposals is 1 June at 3pm PDT.

 

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 29 May, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending