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OCI Global to deliver green methanol bunker fuel for Maersk boxship on maiden voyage

OCI is obtaining the approvals and permits required to commercially bunker methanol in several ports, including Port of Rotterdam on the ship’s voyage from South Korea this summer.
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OCI Global (OCI) on Monday (12 June) announced it is fuelling the first ever green methanol-powered container ship in a new partnership with A.P. Moller-Maersk. 

OCI will provide ISCC certified biomethanol to power the maiden voyage of Maersk’s first dual-fuelled container ship.

“The journey demonstrates OCI’s unique capacity to supply marine customers with end-to-end green methanol solutions in major global bunkering locations, and further supports green methanol as the leading choice today for decarbonising the marine sector, which is responsible for 3% of global GHG emissions,” OCI said in a statement. 

The vessel leaves South Korea for its maiden voyage this summer, sailing along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes to Northern Europe via the Suez Canal. OCI is obtaining the approvals and permits required to commercially bunker methanol in several ports, including Port of Rotterdam on the ship’s voyage, positioning OCI as the first commercial bunker operator of methanol in these regions.

This voyage is an important milestone in the expansion of OCI’s renewable and low-carbon fuels business, a key pillar of OCI’s sustainable growth strategy. As the maritime industry navigates increased regulation to accelerate decarbonisation, such as the FuelEU Maritime initiative, OCI anticipates incremental global demand for methanol at 4 million tons per year in the next five years, based on current orders from the marine sector.

OCI is focused on being the last mile operator of choice at strategic bunkering ports, leveraging partnerships with relevant authorities, terminal infrastructure partners, and bunker barge operators. In February, OCI announced its project with Unibarge to retrofit the first methanol powered bunker barge, to be deployed at the Port of Rotterdam.  

Through its OCI HyFuels brand, OCI is the largest green methanol producer globally. It has led the development of green methanol application in vehicle fuels, now placing up to 200,000 tons per annum equivalent and is growing its suite of low-carbon and green methanol products, including biomethanol, e-methanol, recycled carbon fuel (RCF) methanol, renewable natural gas, ethanol and bio-MTBE.

Ahmed El-Hoshy, CEO at OCI Global, said: “I’m delighted that we are partnering with Maersk to power the first ever green methanol voyage with OCI HyFuels green methanol. This marks another significant milestone in our global leadership in supplying and trading renewable and low carbon fuels to decarbonise energy-intensive industries.”

“We also appreciate the collaboration and leadership of our partners at each of the ports to facilitate this journey. With the maritime industry facing increasing regulatory scrutiny, its decarbonisation is urgent, and OCI is playing a crucial role in helping the sector meet its environmental goals through our existing methanol capabilities; helping us build our position in the marine and fuels markets to capitalise on the coming ammonia fuel demand.”

Bashir Lebada, CEO of OCI Methanol/HyFuels, said: “We are excited about this new phase of our methanol business. Marine has been the main buzz around methanol for several years, so to secure the first real green sale and voyage is testament to our team’s hard work and further reinforces OCI HyFuels as the only large-scale green methanol solution for road and bunker.”

“We welcome our partnership with Maersk and their leadership in decarbonising the maritime sector; their early focus on methanol and conviction to order vessels has led us to where we are today. This also highlights our distribution system and last mile capabilities where we will continue to leverage our road fuel logistics and fuel blending system, and add to our green bunker barge fleet as demand grows.”

Emma Mazhari, Head of Energy Markets at A.P. Moller – Maersk, said: “We would like to thank OCI Global for showing great leadership and for a good collaboration on fuelling the maiden voyage for our landmark vessel. We are grateful for the way OCI Global has committed to help A.P. Moller – Maersk deliver valuable services to our customers.”

“Together, as trusted partners, we are driving a much-needed transition in a heavy-pollution industry. Because of the work by companies like OCI Global, that transition can hopefully be accelerated in the years to come.”

Related: EC President to be godmother of Maersk green methanol powered vessel
Related: Maersk to hold festivities welcoming world’s first green methanol-powered boxship in September
Related: Maersk unveils design of its new methanol dual fuel container ship
Related: Maersk makes first green methanol investment of 2023 in tech start-up C1
Related: Maersk to operate world’s first methanol fuelled, carbon neutral feeder vessel by 2023

 

Photo credit: A.P. Moller – Maersk
Published: 13 June, 2023

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Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Following the successful deployment of “ONE Singapore” and its sister vessels, “ONE Solidarity” will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.
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Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Singapore-based container shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) on Thursday (3 July) said it celebrated the maiden voyage of containership ONE Solidarity as the ship made its first-ever arrival in Shekou, China. 

“As one of our S-series methanol and ammonia ready container vessels, ONE Solidarity is another demonstration of ONE’s commitment to sustainable shipping,” the company said in a social media post. 

Following the successful deployment of ONE Singapore and its sister vessels, ONE Solidarity will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service. 

“Her deployment will boost our service capacity, ensuring faster, more reliable, and highly efficient shipping offerings across key global trade lanes,” the company added.

 

Photo credit: Ocean Network Express
Published: 3 July, 2026

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“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Following delivery of the ship in China, it will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, strengthening Fratelli Cosulich’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.
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“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Thursday (2 July) celebrated the delivery of Lucia Cosulich at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China.

The vessel is the second of four sister methanol-ready IMO II bunker tankers developed within the Group’s fleet expansion programme and follows the launching ceremony held on 2 May 2026.

Designed to support the Group’s bunkering operations and future fuel requirements, Lucia Cosulich is part of the new generation of vessels developed by Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy to combine operational reliability, safety and fuel flexibility.

Lucia Cosulich will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, further strengthening the Group’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

“We wish Lucia Cosulich and her crew fair winds on the next stage of her journey,” the company said. 

Related: Fratelli Cosulich launches second methanol-ready bunker tanker in China

 

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 3 July, 2026

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DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026 compared to 155 in the same period in 2025.

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DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Latest data from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed a total of 15 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in June 2026.

This consisted of 10 orders for LNG-fuelled vessels, nine of which were car carriers and one a CO2 carrier. The remaining five orders were for LPG/ethane carriers.

Two LNG-bunker vessels were also ordered in June, bringing the total in this segment to seven so far in 2026.

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026, down 11.6% from 155 in the same period in 2025. 

Over half of these (73) were for LNG-fuelled vessels, with most coming from the container (42) and car carrier (21) segments. LPG/ethane carriers were also prominent, with 55 new orders, a significant uptick compared to the first half of 2025 (15). The remaining orders were for vessels fuelled by methanol (2), ethanol (2), ammonia (4), and hydrogen (1).

Deliveries in the first half of the year point to continued uptake of alternative-fuelled tonnage across several segments, with 61 LNG-fuelled vessels and 38 methanol-fuelled vessels delivered so far in 2026.

More recently, Exmar took delivery of what it described as the first oceangoing dual-fuel ammonia vessel, marking a step beyond earlier ammonia-fuelled deliveries, which have largely been associated with pilot or demonstration projects rather than commercial deployment.

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “What we can take away from the first half of 2026, in terms of the alternative-fuels orderbook, is that we have a market progressing at different speeds depending on segment economics, fuel availability, and the regulatory landscape. Shipowners and other stakeholders are pursuing different pathways based on their individual priorities and requirements.

“LNG remains the leading near-term fuel option, with order activity continuing to be led by containers and car carriers. LPG and ethane carriers have also accounted for a significant share of activity in the first half of the year, while developments in areas such as ammonia and ethanol show that multiple pathways continue to be explored.”

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 3 July, 2026

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