Singapore-based bunker tanker owner/operator and marine fuel supplier Hong Lam Marine on Monday (17 August) announced the successful launching of 7,999 dwt bunkering vessel Priority at Jiangmen Hangtong Shipbuilding Co Ltd in China on 12 August. 

“As the first vessel in our latest series of four newbuilds, the bunkering vessel Priority represents an important milestone in our ongoing fleet renewal journey,” the company said in a social media post. 

“Despite the intense summer heat, the launching was carried out smoothly and safely. Watching Priority taking to the water was a proud and memorable moment for everyone involved in the project.” 

Hong Lam Marine added that the achievement reflected the strong partnership, dedication and teamwork of our project team, shipyard partners and stakeholders, whose collective efforts have brought the vessel to this significant stage of construction.

“We look forward to the successful completion and delivery of Priority in the months ahead and extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who has contributed to making this milestone possible,” the company added. 

Photo credit: Hong Lam Marine
Published: 19 August, 2026

French shipping giant CMA CGM on Tuesday (18 August) said its 13,000 TEU dual‑fuel containership completed the world’s largest single-batch biomethanol bunkering operation at Shanghai Port.

CMA CGM OSMIUM was supplied with 8,016 metric tonnes (mt) of biomethanol in a single operation.

“This volume is enough to cover the vessel’s entire voyage from Shanghai to the East Coast of South America, with an estimated emissions reduction equivalent to 10,000 tonnes of CO₂,” the company said in a social media post. 

Carried out in partnership with Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd and Shanghai International Port (Group) Co Ltd, CMA CGM said the operation demonstrates the potential of biomethanol for large-scale maritime applications and contributes to the development of lower-carbon fuel solutions for shipping.

Manifold Times previously reported SIPG Energy (Shanghai) Co Ltd (SIPG Energy) completing what it described as China’s first simultaneous two-vessel bunkering operation involving two different green marine fuels at anchorage, supplying LNG and bio-methanol to two vessels.

The company’s LNG bunkering vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai supplied LNG to PIL’s KOTA ELAN, while methanol bunkering vessel Hai Gang Zhi Yuan supplied domestically produced biomass-based methanol to CMA CGM’s dual-fuel container ship CMA CGM OSMIUM.

Related: China: SIPG Energy completes first simultaneous two-vessel, two-fuel green bunkering operation

Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 19 August, 2026

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released ISO 22120:2026 which provides requirements for methanol bunkering transfer systems and equipment used to bunker methanol-fuelled vessels.

The document covers transfer systems, operational procedures, risk assessment, safety protection and personnel training.

According to the introduction, the document has been produced to meet an industry need for additional safety guidance related to the use of alternative fuels on board ships, as identified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“Due to numerous economic and environmental factors, the use of methanol as a vessel’s fuel has increased,” it said.

“The increase in methanol-fuelled vessels corresponds to an increase in methanol bunkering operations. Therefore, there is a need to standardize methanol bunkering operations internationally to a reasonable degree, so that vessel operators have the tools to select vessel fuel providers who meet set safety standards and so that methanol bunkering operations can be conducted safely.

“This document can be used for vessels involved in both international and domestic service, regardless of size.”

Note: The ISO 22120:2026 – Specification for bunkering of methanol fuelled vessels can be purchased here. 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 19 August, 2026