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Super bunker fuel storage solution for methanol in the mainstream

SRC introduces ‘Methanol Superstorage’ as a solution to increase bunker fuel tank volume by over 85% while having little impact on a vessel’s general arrangement.
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SRC traditional storage vs methanol super storage

Methanol overtook its rivals as shipping’s preferred decarbonization route for new ships ordered in 2023, but a ‘Methanol Superstorage’ solution means that the fuel type can be integrated into retrofits and newbuilds alike, says Alex Vainokivi, Innovation Manager SRC Group.

DNV and Clarksons’ World Fleet Register show methanol-capable vessels moving ahead of other dual fuel orders for the first time last year, with Chris Chatterton, COO, The Methanol Institute saying 2023 “could fairly be called the year that Methanol went mainstream”.

In the container market alone, Alphaliner reported the orderbook for methanol dual-fuel vessels as amounting to 152 ships in the first week of February.

Those committing to methanol as a route to shipping decarbonization do so on practical grounds: here is an alternative to fuel oil which offers lower carbon emissions today and a realistic pathway to net zero. Currently derived principally from natural gas, methanol is available, easy to handle and predictable; once produced renewably, ‘green’ methanol can be a carbon-neutral fuel.

“Choosing Methanol is a decision which allows vessel owners and charterers the ability to simply decarbonise faster in a more economically viable manner,” comments Chatterton.

However, it takes around 2.5 times the methanol to achieve energy efficiency equivalent to HFO. A container ship designed to carry 16,500 teu – typically 366 m long and 51 m wide, – would ‘lose’ 300 teu as extra fuel storage to sustain conventional bunkering patterns, according to Alphaliner.

True carrying capacity is invariably a matter for speculation when Maersk builds a new containership. In early February, Alphaliner was also puzzling over the precise capacity of Maersk’s new Equinox Class. Shorter than the convention, at 351m in length, these ships are also broader – at 53.5m wide. Alphaliner suggests moving the deckhouse and bridge onto the forecastle, and the funnel to the port aft corner of the hull, recovers carrying capacity by accommodating a full-width methanol fuel tank under bays 16-22. 

Space efficient solution

In a very different approach, SRC brought ‘Methanol Superstorage’ to market at the end of 2023 as a solution increasing fuel tank volume by over 85% while having little impact on general arrangement. The proposal met particular enthusiasm after Lloyd’s Register conferred Approval in Principle (AiP), which verifies that no major obstacles have been identified to future certification or classification.

Tanks storing low flashpoint fuels on board ship conventionally requiring cofferdams of at least 600mm across to separate internal and external walls as a safety precaution. Instead, Methanol Superstorage features 25mm thick tank walls formed by sandwich panel system (SPS) technology – a continuous polymer core injected between two steel surfaces.

The patent protected steel-polymer-steel barrier has been approved for permanent repairs by IACS class societies for over two decades, including for corrosion in ship structures. Class laboratory tests of the polymer core have verified chemical resistance – including for methanol.

“The ability to simplify safe onboard storage of Methanol as fuel is a development that we obviously welcome,” says Chatterton. “Choosing SPS technology means being able to load the same amount of energy on board as can be achieved with fuel oil, without any storage penalties, making bunkering operations more efficient in the process.”

Ships in service today – as well as newbuilds – must move towards alternative fuels, if shipping is to meet decarbonization targets set out for it by regulators. Chatterton observes that nearly 300 vessels were booked for alternative fuel retrofitting in 2023.

“Shipowners need every possible support on their pathway to net zero carbon,” he adds. “Retrofits are critical to helping the industry adopt Methanol now, as it strives to lower emissions and ease compliance with CII and the EU ETS for vessels already in service.”

 

Photo credit: SRC Group
Published: 29 February 2024

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.
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July 22, 2026

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

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July 20, 2026

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

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China launches methanol shipping supply chain alliance to accelerate green transition

Marine fuel suppliers in the alliance include Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales, China Marine Bunker (PetroChina), SIPG Energy (Shanghai), and Shenzhen Port Energy Development.
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July 17, 2026

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China Waterborne Transport Research Institute under the Ministry of Transport and China Transport News recently jointly launched a Methanol Fuel Shipping Supply Chain Innovation Alliance with 20 organisations spanning the shipping, port, energy, equipment, research and industry association sectors.

The alliance was officially announced during the main event of China Maritime Day 2026 on 11 July, where members also released a joint initiative to develop a collaborative methanol-fuelled shipping supply chain.

The alliance aims to implement China’s national strategy for green economic transformation and support the Ministry of Transport’s “One Network, Four Modernisations” initiative by building a safe, efficient, economical and reliable methanol marine fuel supply chain

Under the joint initiative, alliance members pledged to align with China’s national decarbonisation strategy by promoting methanol as a key pathway for the shipping sector’s green transition and optimising the industry’s energy mix.

The members also pledged to strengthen collaboration across the supply chain to improve coordination between bunker fuel production, transportation and end users while advancing technological innovation.

Lastly, the alliance will support the development of policies, planning and technical standards, promote resource sharing and joint research, and accelerate the large-scale adoption of methanol as a marine fuel.

The alliance brings together companies and organisations representing the entire methanol shipping supply chain.

Members include shipping and port members such as China Changjiang National Shipping (Group) Corporation, COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd., Shandong Port Group, and Wuhan Chuangxin Jianghai Shipping Co., Ltd.

Energy companies in the alliance include Sinopec Chemical Commercial Holding Company Limited and Methanex Corporation.

Marine fuel suppliers including Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales, China Marine Bunker (PetroChina), SIPG Energy (Shanghai) Co Ltd and Shenzhen Port Energy Development Co Ltd are also part of the alliance. 

Equipment manufacturers in the alliance are CSSC 711th Research Institute, CSSC Power (Group) Corporation Ltd and Chongqing Hongjiang Machinery Co Ltd.

Research, media and industry organisations participating in the alliance include the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, China Transport News, and the Methanol Institute.

The Methanol Institute said methanol is moving beyond individual projects towards coordinated action across the entire value chain. 

“And China continues to play a leading role in advancing methanol as a marine fuel,” it said in a social media post.  

“We’re proud to work alongside our fellow alliance members to help strengthen the methanol supply chain and support the continued growth of methanol as a marine fuel.”

 

Photo credit: David Yu from Pixabay
Published: 17 July, 2026

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