Methanol

Platts launches Shanghai and Rotterdam low-carbon methanol marine fuel price assessments

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has launched Shanghai low-carbon methanol marine fuel assessments, the first in Asia, effective 2 May, as well as in Rotterdam.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 8, 2025

Admin

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, recently announced the launch of Shanghai low-carbon methanol marine fuel (MMF) assessments, the first in Asia, effective 2 May.

Platts has also launched Rotterdam low-carbon methanol marine fuel assessment on May 2, adding to the depth and coverage of Platts alternative marine fuels markets.

The two new Shanghai low-carbon MMF assessments come six months after Platts debuted the first-ever in Asia, Singapore low-carbon methanol marine fuel price assessments.

Esther Ng, Platts Global Methanol Pricing Lead, S&P Global Commodity Insights, said: “We are pleased to announce the launch of Platts first-ever low-carbon methanol marine fuel assessments for China. Shanghai is the world’s busiest container port, and sustainable methanol has already been supplied and bunkered in the port.”

“These assessments aim to provide price transparency for shipowners as the maritime industry marches towards net zero in 2050. Similarly, the publication of Rotterdam low-carbon MMF assessments by Platts will offer the shipping and decarbonisation industries valuable price points to guide their trading and investment decisions.”

Olivier Maronneaud, Global Research Lead for Methanol and Plastic Circularity, S&P Global Commodity Insights, said: “Legislation supporting low carbon bunker fuel has been implemented in Europe and has achieved substantial progress at the global level with the latest IMO MEPC 83 meeting in April. Combined with initiatives from stakeholders including governments, port authorities and ship owners, liquidity for low carbon methanol as bunker fuel is anticipated to increase in the coming months and years.”

The International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee in April voted to charge shipowners penalties for maritime greenhouse gas emissions starting from 2028. Just like FuelEU Maritime regulations, IMO’s proposed measures are wide-reaching as they will impact the cost of transporting fuel, chemicals, and consumer goods.

ShanghaiChina is estimated to have 200,000 mt/year of biomethanol and eMethanol capacity in 2025 and will have 1.5 million mt/year by 2028, according to data from S&P Global Commodity Insights Analytics.

The first Chinese molecules for spot trading are expected to be available in mid-2025, with the Shanghai port shaping up as a leading Chinese low-carbon methanol trading hub.

The Platts Shanghai low-carbon MMF assessments will aid shipowners, low-carbon methanol producers, bunker traders and investors with price transparency in an important and emerging production center of low-carbon methanol.

RotterdamThe Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and bunker hub. In 2022, it set up the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor with Singapore to reduce emissions from large container vessels on the 15,000-kilometer route by at least 20% by 2030, by enabling the use of low- and zero-carbon shipping fuels.

From January 2025 to 2029, under the FuelEU Maritime regulation, the shipping industry will need to deliver a 2% GHG intensity saving against the FuelEU Maritime fossil fuel comparator, with targets stepping up every five years to 80% GHG savings in 2050.

Platts’ publication of Rotterdam low-carbon MMF assessments will provide the maritime and low-carbon methanol industry useful price points for trading, procurement and investment decisions.

The assessments are as follows:

Platts Low-carbon methanol FOB Shanghai
Platts Low-carbon methanol marine fuel Delivered Shanghai
Platts Low-carbon methanol marine fuel Delivered Rotterdam ($/mt)
Platts Low-carbon methanol marine fuel Delivered Rotterdam (Euro/mt)

The assessments reflect market prices of the product with sustainability documentation stating a carbon intensity or an equivalent greenhouse gas saving when compared with the fossil fuel comparator, as per the prevailing Renewable Energy Directive.

Note: The subscriber note can be accessed here while a full description of the Platts assessment methodology can be found here.

Photo credit: Siyuan Hu on Unsplash
Published: 8 May, 2025

Related Topics:Bunker fuel - Methanol Business - Events

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Methanol

European Commission clears acquisition of OCI methanol business by Methanex

Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active.

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4 days ago

May 16, 2025

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European Commission clears acquisition of OCI methanol business by Methanex

The European Commission on Wednesday (14 May) said it has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of the global methanol business of Netherlands-based OCI Global by Canada’s Methanex Corporation.

EC said the transaction relates primarily to the market for the production and supply of methanol.

“The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active,” it said.

“In particular, the Commission examined the effects of the transaction on the supply of methanol in the European Economic Area (EEA).”

The EC found that the transaction does not raise concerns given the fragmented nature of this market in the EEA, and the existence of several alternative providers to which customers could switch following the transaction.

“The notified transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure,” it added.

Manifold Times previously reported Methanex entering a definitive agreement to acquire OCI’s international methanol business for USD 2.05 billion.

The transaction includes OCI’s interest in two world-scale methanol facilities in Beaumont, Texas, one of which also produces ammonia. The transaction also includes a low-carbon methanol production and marketing business and a currently idled methanol facility in the Netherlands.

In 2023, Maersk signed a deal with OCI on the delivery of green bio-methanol for the maiden journey of its first methanol-enabled container vessel.

Note: More information is available on the EC’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11812.

Photo credit: OCI Global
Published: 16 May, 2025

Newbuilding

Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK

“Green Future” was delivered at Tsuneishi factory on 13 May and will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from Kambara Kisen.

Published

5 days ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding on Wednesday (14 May) said it has delivered the world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulk carrier, Green Future.

The 65,700 dwt vessel was delivered at its factory on 13 May and will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from Kambara Kisen.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said the vessel maintains the high cargo capacity and fuel efficiency characteristic of the TESS66 Aeroline design series, while enabling more sustainable operations through the use of methanol as a fuel.

The methanol fuel tank has been positioned to maximise safety and facilitate smooth cargo handling while maintaining loading efficiency. It is also equipped with a fuel-efficient main engine and Tsuneishi’s proprietary Aeroline technology to reduce wind resistance, delivering superior fuel performance.

Mr Okumura Sachio, Representative Director, President & Executive Officer of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, said: “This delivery marks just the beginning. We will continue constructing methanol dual-fuelled vessels at our overseas facilities and remain steadfast in our pursuit of technological innovation to contribute to a more sustainable maritime industry and global environment.”

NYK said the vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

Vessel Particulars

LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tonnes
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

Photo credit: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding
Published: 15 May, 2025

Events

Green Shiptech China Congress to explore alternative bunker fuels and ship technologies

LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be among key issues discussed at the annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

Published

5 days ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

Ridge China on Wednesday (14 May) announced it will be hosting the 14th Green Shiptech China Congress (GSCC), an annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

More than 4,400 experts and decision makers from governments, classification societies, shipowners, shipyards, research institutes, technology/equipment suppliers and consulting companies attended the previous GSCC from 2012 to 2024.

For 2025, over 400 industry experts, corporate decision makers and government officials will be engaged in comprehensive discussions on current issues of IMO, EU, USCG, China MSA’s policies and regulations, designs and standards for new ship models, innovative and sustainable green ship technologies at this annual conference.

Alternative bunker fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be part of the important issues discussed at the event.

Speakers will be from

IMO
European Commission
U.S. Coast Guard
China MSA
Financial Institutions
Maritime Research Institutes
Solution & Technology Providers
Shipowners
Shipyards
Classification Societies

Key topics

Policies and Regulations Update and Interpretate by IMO, European Commission, U.S. Coast Guard and China MSA
Retrofitting Vessels to Achieve Decarbonization Goals
Energy Efficiency Continues to Be Key for Decarbonization
Decarbonization Through Digitalization
Digital Technologies As a Key Enabler for Emissions Reduction
Impact of a Hull Coating Upgrade on Hull Efficiency
LNG As Marine Fuel: Pivoting Towards Cleaner Shipping
Methanol As a Marine Fuel
Ammonia’s Credentials As a Green Fuel
Wind Propulsion Technology
Fuel Cell Integration: Upcoming Challenges and Opportunity
Propelling Carbon-neutral Shipping with Green Engines and Alternative Fuels
Next-generation Electric and Hybrid Marine Propulsion Technologies and Components
Latest Developments in Energy Storage Systems

Interested parties may contact:

Mr. Quin Xu
Tel: +86 21 6607 8610 -8003
Mob: +86 13564222811
Email: [email protected]

Note: The English and Chinese version of the event website can be found here and here respectively while the event registration can be found here.

Photo credit: Ridge China
Published: 15 May, 2025