Alternative Fuels

South Korea completes first methanol bunkering operation at Ulsan Port

Proman Stena Bulk fully operational tankers “Stena Pro Patria” and “Stena Pro Marine” were each refuelled with over 2,000 tonnes of methanol during bunkering operation.

Published

4 years ago

September 1, 2022

Admin

South Korea completed its first methanol bunkering operation at Ulsan Port on Wednesday (31 August), according to Proman Stena Bulk, the joint venture (JV) between global methanol producer Proman and tanker shipping company Stena Bulk.

Proman Stena Bulk’s fully operational methanol-fuelled tankers Stena Pro Patria and Stena Pro Marine were each refuelled with over 2,000 tonnes of methanol during the bunkering operation.

The bunkering was executed despite South Korea not being a methanol-producing country and neither vessel was carrying methanol as cargo, said the JV.

“The first bunkering in South Korea is even more strategically significant given the nation’s status as an important maritime hub. Ulsan is located adjacent to one of the world’s largest shipyards and South Korea neighbours two other leading global shipbuilding nations, China and Japan. Successfully bunkering methanol in Ulsan is a positive sign for the many of the other methanol newbuild vessels currently on order within the region,” it said.

The JV noted the increasing global uptake of methanol as a marine fuel is aided by its current availability across 120 ports worldwide, including the major global bunkering hubs of Singapore, Algeciras, Houston and Rotterdam. Meanwhile, other key locations such as the Port of Gothenburg and Rotterdam are adopting or developing new simple methanol bunkering guidelines.

Erik Hånell, President and CEO of Stena Bulk, said: “The combination of low emission methanol and fuel-efficient vessels are important steps towards more sustainable shipping, so we’re proud that Stena Pro Patria and Stena Pro Marine have successfully bunkered methanol for the first time.”

“The Stena Sphere has extensive experience in bunkering methanol for passenger ferries and in transporting methanol as a cargo, and this bunkering of methanol in Ulsan is further proof that infrastructure and availability is not a barrier for turning our vision of methanol as a key decarbonisation solution into reality.”

Anita Gajadhar, MD of Proman Shipping, Marketing and Logistics, added: “This successful bunkering in Ulsan, combined with the fact that both Stena Pro Patria and Stena Pro Marine have commenced their first commercial methanol-fuelled voyages carrying various products for third party charterers around the globe, is another important and positive milestone for the JV and for our broader work in helping to develop methanol as a marine fuel.”

“As these vessels show, methanol is already available and viable as an alternative fuel solution for shipping. Incorporating methanol bunkering into future fuel infrastructure regulations and policies that are currently being developed will help ensure guidelines are futureproofed as more low-carbon and renewable methanol sources come online, supporting the transition to lower emissions fuels across the industry.”

In 2020, Lloyd’s Register and the Methanol Institute launched a Technical Reference document to help shipowners, ports and bunker suppliers understand the processes and procedures for the safe use of methanol as a marine fuel.

Photo credit: Stena Bulk
Published: 1 September, 2022

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 3.8% on year in July 2026

4.73 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in July, up from 4.92 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Published

22 minutes ago

August 17, 2026

Admin

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 3.8% on year in July 2026

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port fell by 3.8% on year in July 2026, according to data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

In total, 4.73 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,731,900 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in July, up from 4.92 million mt (4,918,000 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in July (against on year) recorded respectively 1.95 million mt (zero from 1.95 million mt), 2.33 million mt (-2.1% from 2.38 million mt), 1,600 mt (+100% from zero), 700 mt (-82% from 3,900 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 3.8% on year in July 2026

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in July, (against on year) recorded respectively 8,200 mt (-83.7% from 50,300 mt), 29,900 mt (-62.9% from 80,500 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February last year, recorded 1,400 mt (-46.2% from 2,600 mt).

LNG and methanol sales were 58,700 mt (+41.4% from 41,500 mt) and zero (from zero) respectively. There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far since 2025.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 17 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

Ammonia, methanol bunkering workshops to be held at 13th Singapore Safety@Sea Week

Three workshops on ammonia bunkering, methanol bunkering, and crew safety awareness are part of MPA’s Safety@Sea Week, which will be held from 17 to 21 August.

Published

26 minutes ago

August 17, 2026

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), together with industry partners, on Monday (17 August) launched several new initiatives to enhance maritime safety.

Announced at the opening of the 13th Singapore Safety@Sea Week, these initiatives will support shared learning, strengthen operational capabilities, and prepare the industry for the safe adoption of new technologies.

Organised by MPA from 17 to 21 August, this year’s Safety@Sea Week is themed “All Hands on Deck – Safety First!”. About 1,500 participants from across the maritime community are expected to take part in 18 events organised by MPA and its partners.

These include the Safety@Sea Symposium, featuring seven speakers across two panel sessions, and three workshops on ammonia bunkering, methanol bunkering, and crew safety awareness.

Speaking at the opening, Mr Murali Pillai, Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport, highlighted three priorities for strengthening maritime safety: harnessing technology responsibly, preparing early for emerging risks, and keeping people at the centre of safety. He also underscored the importance of strong partnerships across the maritime community in building a strong safety culture.

At the opening of Safety@Sea Week, the National Maritime Safety at Sea Council and the Singapore Shipping Association launched the Singapore Near Miss Reporting System to encourage the reporting and sharing of lessons from near miss incidents.

Modelled on the internationally recognised Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP), the system provides sea space users with a confidential online channel to report near misses. CHIRP will independently receive the submissions and provide anonymised information to the Council, which will distil key safety lessons for sharing with the wider maritime community.

Note: More information about the event can be found here.

Photo credit: Peter Nguyen on Unsplash
Published: 17 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

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

SIPG Energy says the simultaneous LNG and bio-methanol bunkering operations demonstrate Shanghai Port’s expanding capability to supply multiple green marine fuels at anchorage.

Published

29 minutes ago

August 17, 2026

Admin

Shanghai port completes first simultaneous two-vessel, two-fuel green bunkering operation

SIPG Energy (Shanghai) Co Ltd (SIPG Energy) on Sunday (16 August) completed 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.

According to SIPG Energy, the two bunkering operations were carried out simultaneously and safely, highlighting Shanghai Port’s growing ability to provide diversified and large-scale green-fuel bunkering services at anchorage.

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The operation required enhanced coordination in safety management, resource allocation and emergency response. Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, Shanghai Customs and Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection, along with other supporting organisations, provided regulatory guidance and operational support.

“The combined efforts of all parties significantly improved the efficiency of bunkering at anchorage,” the company said.

The company said it will continue to expand its safe bunkering capabilities for bio-methanol, LNG and other green marine fuels, while broadening its fuel supply portfolio and service scenarios to support the shipping industry’s transition to lower-carbon marine fuels.

Photo credit: SIPG Energy
Published: 17 August, 2026