Tianjin Port achieves China’s first green methanol bunkering operation of RoRo ship

The 9,300CEU methanol dual-fuel roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ship CM Hong Kong made its maiden voyage to Tianjin Port and completed China’s first green methanol bunkering operation of a roll-on/roll-off ship on the same day, according to the port on Monday (22 September). 

CM Hong Kong was refuelled with about 300 metric tonnes (mt) of green methanol, marking the establishment of a comprehensive methanol bunkering system at Tianjin Port. 

To ensure stable and reliable green methanol bunkering operations, Tianjin Port Group worked closely with China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) and other entities to complete the technical verification of the green methanol transportation, storage, and bunkering solution ahead of schedule, achieving a deep integration of green port infrastructure and green ship technologies. 

Government agencies, including the Tianjin Municipal Investment Promotion Bureau, Tianjin Port and Shipping Administration, Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration, Tianjin Customs, and Tianjin General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, collaborated to establish a comprehensive “inspection-monitoring-response” system.

“This system provides a practical model for establishing a green marine fuel supply system and represents a significant example of collaborative government-enterprise and port-ship collaboration to promote low-carbon emissions reductions in the shipping industry,” Tianjin Port Group said. 

According to Tianjin Municipal Transportation Commission, CM Hong Kong was constructed by China Merchants Industry for China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES), a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, and operated by China Merchants RoRo.

This system allows for flexible switching between traditional fuel oil and methanol, meeting the highest IMO Tier III emission standards and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 70% when using green methanol.

Photo credit: Tianjin Port Group
Published: 25 September, 2025