MI – the Global Methanol Alliance recently shared with Manifold Times the renewable and low-carbon methanol project pipeline August 2026 release produced by GENA Solutions Oy.

Information from the release is meant to provide the bunkering publication’s readers with insight on renewable methanol availability, and to assist the maritime industry in the adoption of methanol as a mainstream marine fuel heading into IMO 2030/2050.

Key takeaways from GENA’s August 2026 Methanol release are as follows:

• As of the end of August 2026, GENA tracks 286 renewable and low carbon methanol projects, representing 62.2 Mt of capacity by 2032. This includes 25.1 Mt of e-methanol, 25.9 Mt of biomethanol, and 11.2 Mt of low carbon methanol capacity.
• Two new projects were added to Project Navigator last month, while one frozen project was excluded. The project pipeline increased by 0.4 Mt month on month.
• Four new offtake agreements were registered during August, including two biomethanol and two e-methanol agreements.
• About 8% of the cumulative renewable methanol project pipeline capacity has reached FID so far, with another 11% at the FEED stage.
• Considering the current uncertainty around regulatory developments and demand growth, GENA projects that renewable methanol capacity could reach 6 Mt to 12 Mt by 2031.
  
  

Note: The full article can be viewed here.

Photo credit: GENA Solutions
Published: 4 September, 2026

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained tugboat and dredger suspected of conducting an unauthorised ship-to-ship (STS) transfer in Malaysian waters.

The two Malaysian-registered vessels were detained at around 3.20am on Wednesday by an MMEA patrol boat after the agency received public information about two suspicious vessels seen operating alongside each other about 1.4 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Buai.

MMEA Tanjung Sedili Zone Acting Director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said further inspection found that the tugboat was operated by five crew members, including its skipper, comprising Malaysian and Indonesian nationals aged between 26 and 58.

The dredger was operated by 13 crew members, including its skipper, all Malaysian nationals aged between 22 and 51.

“Further inspection also found a quantity of oil cargo believed to be without any documents relating to ownership and delivery,” Najib said.

Both vessels and the oil cargo have been seized for further investigation. The total value of the seizure, including the two vessels and the oil cargo, is estimated at MYR 260 million (USD 64 million).

The case is being investigated under Section 491B(1)(K) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (MSO) 1952 for allegedly conducting ship-to-ship activities without authorisation from the Malaysian Director of Marine.

The vessels are also being investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the MSO 1952 for allegedly anchoring without permission, as well as under the Customs Act 1967 in connection with the oil cargo suspected of lacking the required documentation.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 3 September, 2026

Wah Kwong NatPower (WK NatPower) on Wednesday (2 September) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jiangsu Port Group Investment Management Co Ltd (Jiangsu Port Investment), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jiangsu Port Group, at the Jiangsu International Maritime Conference in Nanjing. 

The company said the MoU strengthens collaboration across the maritime, port and clean energy sectors, bringing together expertise in shipping, port infrastructure and electrification technologies.

As China’s leading province for inland waterway transport, with the country’s largest inland waterway network, Jiangsu plays a critical role in the nation’s shipping and logistics system. 

“The partnership represents a strategic step in WK NatPower’s China strategy,” the company said in a statement. 

Building on the momentum of its Zhejiang projects, WK NatPower is extending its footprint further into one of the country’s most significant inland shipping areas. By leveraging the strengths of their respective parent companies, Jiangsu Port Group, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport and NatPower, the parties will also establish a cooperation mechanism to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration and enhance the complementary use of global maritime and port resources.

From a technological perspective, WK NatPower is evolving from individual charging infrastructure towards integrated energy systems combining charging, battery storage and battery-swapping solutions capable of serving a broader range of operational scenarios. 

By combining the international experience and global network of WK NatPower and its partner NatPower Marine, with Jiangsu Port Group’s local resources and project delivery capabilities, the partnership will promote coordinated regional development. 

It also demonstrates WK NatPower’s commitment to the electrification of China’s inland waterway transport sector.

Photo credit: Wah Kwong NatPower
Published: 3 September, 2026