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Rotterdam: World’s first barge-to-ship methanol bunkering operation takes place

Waterfront Shipping collaborates with Port of Rotterdam, Vopak, NYK and TankMatch to launch first barge-to-ship methanol bunkering operation in the world.
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Waterfront Shipping, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Methanex Corporation (Methanex), on Monday (10 May) demonstrated the ease of ‘barge-to-ship’ bunkering as part of the launch of the world’s first barge-to-ship methanol bunkering operation at the Port of Rotterdam.

Waterfront Shipping’s Takaroa Sun—a long-term chartered vessel owned by NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte. Ltd., and a subsidiary of NYK—which was accorded special mention for Green Ship of the Year, participated in the operation as the inaugural methanol-powered ship to be fuelled by a commercial bunker barge.

The premiere bunkering operation took place at the Vopak Terminal Botlek of Royal Vopak with a bunker barge, “MTS Evidence,” operated by TankMatch. The Port of Rotterdam is the largest seaport in Europe with approximately 30,000 visiting seagoing vessels and 100,000 inland vessels per year.

“Waterfront Shipping has been operating methanol-fuelled ships for over five years now, accumulating over 100,000 combined operating hours—and has been bunkering methanol for its methanol dual-fuelled vessels via cargo shore pipelines near Methanex’s production facilities,” said Paul Hexter, President of Waterfront Shipping.

“When appropriate safety measures are followed, we know that methanol is safe to ship, store, handle and bunker using procedures similar to conventional fuels. Today’s methanol bunkering demonstration is another step in helping the shipping industry with its journey to reduce emissions.”

The bunkering demonstration provided further evidence of methanol as a low emission, safe and simple to handle clean fuel that offers a future-proof pathway to a low-carbon future.

Liquid at ambient temperature and miscible in water, methanol produces up to 15% lower carbon emissions during combustion than traditional fuel oil and is MARPOL Annex VI compliant for SOx emissions, particulate matter and Tier III NOx emissions.

“The Port of Rotterdam fully supports initiatives to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainability for ships calling here and in other ports,” said Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority. “Methanol has proven itself able to meet our very stringent safety standards and can play an important role in meeting the lower emission goals.”

“As shipowners begin to engage in the energy transition, the Vopak terminals have the capabilities and experience to also work with operators of methanol-fuelled vessels and meet their specific requirements,” said Dick Richelle, Commercial Director of Royal Vopak. “Methanol is globally available and has similar storage needs to conventional fuels. This demonstration proves that methanol bunkering is a safe and realistic option as a clean-burning fuel with a sustainable pathway.”

“We are increasingly hearing from vessel operators who want to understand their options for lowering their emissions and want a simple path to IMO compliance,” says Andre Nieman, Chief Executive Officer of TankMatch. “Bunkering with methanol requires a similar level of risk assessment and safety management as other conventional bunker fuels and we found this process simple to manage and execute.”

Methanex is committed to demonstrating ongoing leadership in the use of lower-emission methanol as a marine fuel.

Waterfront Shipping recently ordered an additional eight methanol-fuelled vessels to be delivered between 2021 and 2023—with this latest order, approximately 60% of its 30-ship fleet will be powered by lower emission, methanol dual-fuel technology.

Further information on the methanol bunkering demonstration will be made available to the marine industry in the coming months.

 

Photo credit: Methanex
Published: 14 May, 2021

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Methanol

OOCL dual-fuel boxship completes first green methanol bunkering op at Qingdao Port

“OOCL Wisdom” completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage to Europe at Qingdao Port on 3 July.

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July 6, 2026

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OOCL dual-fuel boxship completes first green methanol bunkering op at Qingdao Port

​International container transportation and logistics company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) on Friday (3 July) said its first methanol dual-fuel containership, OOCL Wisdom, completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage at Qingdao Port.

OOCL Wisdom is the first in a series of seven methanol dual-fuel container vessels. With a maximum capacity of 24,168 TEU, it is currently the world’s largest methanol dual‑fuel container vessel and is deployed on the Asia – North Europe Loop 1 (LL1) service.

Mr. Peter Pan, Director of Trades of OOCL, said: “OOCL Wisdom completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage to Europe at Qingdao Port, representing a significant achievement of the deepening collaboration between OOCL and Shandong Port Group, and reflecting OOCL’s steadfast commitment to green and low‑carbon development, digital intelligence and sustainability.”

 

Photo credit: Orient Overseas Container Line
Published: 6 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Zhejiang Province wraps up first cross-regional bonded LNG bunkering operation

“Hai Yang Shi You 302” supplied container ship “MSC Maria Laura” with 3,500 cubic meters of bonded LNG at Chuanshan Port Area, after the bunkering vessel received bonded LNG in Zhoushan.

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July 6, 2026

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Zhejiang Province wraps up first cross-regional bonded LNG bunkering operation

Zhejiang Province on Saturday (27 June) completed its first cross-regional bonded LNG bunkering operation at Chuanshan Port Area of ​​Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, according to Hangzhou Customs. 

Bunkering vessel Hai Yang Shi You 302 travelled to ENN Zhoushan LNG receiving terminal to load bonded LNG. The vessel then supplied container ship MSC Maria Laura with 3,500 cubic meters of bonded LNG at Chuanshan Port Area. 

Zhejiang Province wraps up first cross-regional bonded LNG bunkering operation

Compared with the traditional single-port bunkering model, the cross-regional operation removes the geographical barriers between Zhoushan’s gas supply and bunkering demand in Ningbo’s core port area, enabling cross-port LNG transfer within the province.

“The new operating model addresses longstanding constraints associated with the geographical limitations of LNG supply reloading and tight operational time windows,” said Chen Bangkui, Business Manager at CNOOC Zhejiang New Energy Co Ltd. 

“We can now flexibly source bonded LNG from both Zhoushan and Ningbo, significantly improving operational flexibility and efficiency.”

 

Photo credit: Hangzhou Customs
Published: 6 July, 2026

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Battery

ICCT: China’s electric cargo ship fleet grows 950% in three years

In its latest blog, ICCT says vessel sizes for electric cargo ships have grown significantly, indicating that China is testing the feasibility of electrification for increasingly larger ships.

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July 6, 2026

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The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) recently said China’s fleet of electric cargo ships has grown by 950%, from just four vessels in 2022 to 42 in 2025.

According to its latest blog, electrification is rapidly expanding along inland waterways in the country, offering a pathway to cut emissions, improve air quality, and lower operating costs.

ICCT said electric cargo ships are entering real-world operation at a rapidly growing pace

“Ship types have diversified, from bulk carriers and container ships to multi-purpose cargo ships. At the same time, vessel sizes have grown significantly, with the maximum deadweight tonnage (DWT) rising from around 3,000 tonnes in 2022 to approximately 14,000 tonnes in 2025,” it said.

“This indicates that China is testing the feasibility of electrification for increasingly larger ships.”

Although battery capacity constraints continue to limit sailing range per charge—which typically hovered between 150 km and 400 km from 2022 to 2025—trends show steady improvement; by 2025, electric cargo ships with a range of up to 500 km were already in operation in China.

Inland waterways have become the primary testing ground for electric cargo ship deployment. 

By the end of 2025, 86% of electric cargo ships in China were operating on internal rivers. 

“Nine provinces and municipalities have already launched pilot projects, covering major waterways such as the Yangtze River, the Pearl River, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal,” ICCT added.

The blog also explored the opportunities, challenges, and policy actions that could accelerate the shift to electric inland shipping.

“Developing an enhanced subsidy that favors electric vessels, on top of the current vessel trade-in subsidy program, could help reduce the upfront investment burden for electric vessel adoption,” it recommended.

ICCT added that tightening ship engine emission standards toward world-leading levels could increase the compliance costs of conventional-fuel vessels and improve the relative competitiveness of electric ships.

“The electrification of inland shipping in China is already underway; what is needed now is smart policy to accelerate the transition,” it said.

 

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Published: 6 July, 2026

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