Integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (1 September) said it has successfully completed a methanol bunkering trial for TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 at the Ostseekai Cruise Terminal in the Port of Kiel.

As part of this delivery, approximately 25 cubic metres of methanol from renewable feedstocks were supplied to the vessel. The fuel will be used primarily for boiler operations on board. 

The logistic company Johs. Martens, acting on behalf of MB Energy, handled the trucking and physical delivery of the methanol to the vessel at the terminal. 

By safely and reliably supplying methanol to a large passenger vessel with around 2,900 guests on board and multiple simultaneous operations at the pier, MB Energy and TUI Cruises have jointly demonstrated system readiness for this mode of delivery. 

“The operation shows that lower carbon fuels like methanol from renewable feedstocks can already be integrated into cruise operations in a safe and reliable way,” said Jonathan Perkins, CEO from MB Energy. 

“Together with TUI Cruises and our logistics partner Johs. Martens, we are proving that the infrastructure and expertise are in place to support carbon reduced ways of shipping.” 

The company said the methanol bunkering highlighted the company’s growing capabilities in handling methanol for major clients in northern Europe.

MB Energy is currently developing its storage infrastructure in Hamburg-Blumensand to be “methanol-ready”, enabling the supply of larger volumes of lower carbon ammonia and methanol to maritime customers in the future. 

Hamburg and Kiel will serve as the company’s primary operational hubs in northern Germany, with the flexibility and ambition to also supply other European ports. 

“By combining our own storage infrastructure with integrated logistics, we can offer customers a reliable and uninterrupted methanol supply,” adds Jonathan Perkins. 

“Our first bunkering with ‘Mein Schiff 7’ is a strong signal of what is possible when shipowners, ports and energy providers work together.” 

Jörg Umann, Director Strategic Planning, Treasury, IR and Fuel at TUI Cruises, said: “For TUI Cruises, this project provided valuable operational experience with the supply and handling of certified renewable methanol under real operating conditions. 

“While the methanol from renewable feedstocks supplied during this operation is used for boiler operations rather than propulsion, projects like this help us better understand how alternative fuels can contribute to reducing emissions as part of a broader carbon reduction strategy.”

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

Photo credit: MB Energy
Published: 2 September, 2026

DP World’s Marine Services business, Shipping Solutions, on Monday (31 August) announced the naming of its new methanol dual-fuel vessel, DP World London, at a ceremony in Aarhus, Denmark, marking a milestone in the company’s investment in more connected, resilient and lower-carbon supply chains. 

The DP World London is a 1,250 TEU container vessel built in China and delivered in April 2026. Owned by Germany’s Elbdeich Reederei and operated by DP World’s Shipping Solutions business, the Portugal-flagged vessel will operate on the North Europe service. 

Measuring 148 metres in length, the vessel is equipped with a modern five-cylinder main engine and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology to reduce emissions and support compliance with international environmental standards. It completed its first bunkering in Rotterdam on 25 June 2026 with Unibarge as the bunkering partner and Methanex supplying the methanol. 

Founded in Aarhus in 1977 as Unifeeder, DP World’s Shipping Solutions business operates feeder and shortsea services across Europe and other markets. It is part of DP World’s Marine Services portfolio.

Martin Gaard Christiansen, CEO, Shipping Solutions EAM, DP World, said: “This is a proud moment for our Shipping Solutions team. Aarhus is where our story began, and it remains central to our character. Our DNA is about staying close to customers, keeping our word, staying calm in volatile markets and finding practical solutions when conditions change. This dual-fuel vessel reflects both our heritage and the future we are building.” 

Ganesh Raj, Global Chief Operating Officer, Marine Services, DP World, said: “The future of maritime trade will be shaped by resilience, connectivity and more sustainable transport solutions. This methanol dual-fuel vessel is a tangible example of how DP World is investing in practical innovation to provide customers with more reliable, flexible and lower-emission shipping solutions. It also strengthens our integrated network, reinforcing our ability to deliver seamless supply chain solutions across ports, terminals, marine services, inland logistics and freight forwarding, while helping keep global trade moving.” 

Photo credit: DP World
Published: 1 September, 2026

​International container transportation and logistics company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) on Friday (28 August) held the naming ceremony for OOCL Grace, the company’s second methanol dual-fuel container vessel.

The naming ceremony was held at the shipyard of Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co Ltd (NACKS). Annetta Duan, Global Logistics Director of Hayco Group, named OOCL Grace and bestowed her blessings upon the vessel in the presence of many guests.

OOCL Grace is the second of seven 24,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container vessels built by NACKS for OOCL. 

From the successful naming of the series’ first vessel, OOCL Wisdom, in May this year, to OOCL Wisdom completing its first green methanol bunkering and commencing its maiden voyage to Europe in July, and now the official debut of OOCL Grace, this series of currently the world’s largest methanol dual-fuel vessels is being completed and deployed in succession.

At the naming ceremony, Mr. Peter Pan, Director of Trades and Member of the Executive Committee of OOCL, said: “In a complex and ever-changing market environment, OOCL remains firmly committed to advancing the expansion, greening and digitalization of our fleet. 

“With the successive delivery of OOCL Grace and her sister vessels, we will continue to optimise our capacity deployment and network configuration, providing customers with higher-quality, more stable and sustainable logistics solutions, while playing an important role in connecting industries, markets and global trade.”

Photo credit: ​​Orient Overseas Container
Published: 31 August, 2026