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Methanol Institute: Singapore, China markets exploring use of methanol as marine fuel

Initiative to convert a large number of Chinese fishing vessels to use methanol as fuel part of Asian projects portfolio Methanol Institute is spearheading, says COO.
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There are several parties in Asia which are considering methanol as a bunker fuel, says the COO of the global trade association Methanol Institute (MI). 
 
Chis Chatterton, who is based at MI’s Singapore headquarters, told Manifold Times that China is currently the world’s largest producer and consumer of methanol and the Chinese, backed by decades of experience in safely using methanol as a transportation fuel, have plans to use the product as a marine fuel within the domestic market.

To support the development, the China Classification Society has produced a comprehensive “Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels”, to include methyl/ethyl alcohols, fuel cells and biodiesel as marine fuel, based on industry best practices.
 
“One of our partners in Southern China has developed a project for a 1,100 kilowatt (kW) marine engine to use methanol as a marine fuel,” shares Chatterton. 

He adds that sea trials are expected to commence shortly, on the back of very positive test bed results between the conversion technology licensor, the engine OEM and a major international fuel supplier.
 
Another Chinese initiative targets converting a large number of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled fishing vessels to methanol, as their primary fuel, due to the ease of handling and widespread availability of the material in China.
 
Chatterton, meanwhile, says MI is working to facilitate a pilot project in Singapore to test a converted, methanol-fueled unit.  The pilot engine will be test-bedded using both traditional methanol and renewable methanol.
 
“In parallel, we are looking to identify a candidate who may be interested to install and sea trial the engine in Singapore waters,” he notes.

“The ideal vessel would be a smaller sized vessel such as a harbour or rescue craft, small tugboat or pulling/towing vessel with a total installed capacity of 700 to 800 kW. 

“We have similar experience with a high-speed rescue vessel in Sweden, Project GreenPilot, which recently completed successful sea trials.”
 
Another noteworthy Singapore-based project is one involving a local offshore and marine subsidiary which specialises in emulsified fuel technology.
 
“We are discussing a fuel emulsification project to inject water into the methanol fuel mix, which has the effect of reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions,” says Chatterton, who explains one of the benefits of methanol is its miscibility in water.

Water can be injected into the methanol fuel mixture, which in turn lowers the combustion temperature as the water evaporates.  As the water in the fuel/water emulsion evaporates, the fuel is also vaporised.  The additional vapors equate to an increased surface area of the fuel, which provides for more efficient and thorough combustion.  The result is reduced NOx emissions and particulate matter (PM).
 
“This potentially allows certain engines to meet Tier III NOx requirements which are currently in effect within the North American and US Caribbean markets.”
 
Greg Dolan, CEO of MI, earlier wrote in statement to Manifold Times suggesting methanol could be playing a much bigger role within the coming decades as a marine fuel.
 
Related: Methanol offers shipping ‘pathway’ to a low carbon future

Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 9 may, 2018
 

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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