Port of Amsterdam achieves milestone with first STS methanol bunkering operation

The Port of Amsterdam on Monday (19 May) said it hosted the first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering last week. 

At the TMA Logistics terminal in the Amerikahaven, the offshore installation vessel Boreas from Van Oord was supplied with 500 metric tonnes (mt) of ISCC-certified green methanol, delivered by the bunker vessel Chicago from Unibarge. The methanol was supplied by OCI HyFuels. 

Henri van der Weide, Clean Shipping Advisor at Port of Amsterdam, said: “We are pleased that Van Oord has chosen methanol. This makes them an important pioneer in the use of sustainable fuels in shipping.”

The Boreas is a newly built offshore installation vessel and the largest of its kind. It is the first ship of its kind that can operate on methanol, significantly reducing its ecological footprint. Advanced emission control technologies minimise NOₓ emissions, while a 6,000 kWh battery pack further reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

Jaap de Jong, Project Director at Van Oord, said: “We look forward to deploying this impressive vessel for our offshore wind projects and further advancing the transition to renewable energy.”

Port of Amsterdam is working on developing safety standards that enable the bunkering of alternative fuels in the Port of Amsterdam to achieve its aim to become a Multi Fuel Port. This includes LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, and now methanol.

Van der Weide, added: “We do this in collaboration with the Clean Marine Fuels Working Group, a working group within the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), which focuses on the preconditions ports need to support the energy transition in shipping. Together with this group, we have developed a safety checklist for bunkering operations.”

Alternative fuel bunkering is increasingly common in the port of Amsterdam. 

Van der Weide, explained: “For example, LNG bunkering has become business as usual for us. Several licensed LNG suppliers are active, and we have created an LNG bunker map based on external safety research, which shows where LNG bunkering can be safely conducted.” 

Hydrogen has also recently been bunkered in the port. But this was the first time a ship-to-ship green methanol bunkering took place. 

Explaining what was needed to ensure such bunkering is carried out safely, Van der Weide, said: “First, a licensed bunker operator who complies with IAPH safety standards. Additionally, we use a methanol bunkering checklist developed with the IAPH.”

“Finally, we as the port authority assess and designate a safe and suitable location or berth for the bunkering.”

Photo credit: Port of Amsterdam
Published: 21 May, 2025