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The Methanol Institute: Singapore takes first-mover advantage in Asia with methanol bunkering pilot

‘With more than 65% of 135 methanol-fuelled newbuildings being containerships, there is a good chance a number of these vessels will be bunkering in Singapore,’ forecasts Chris Chatterton of The Methanol Institute.

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The Methanol Institute

The successful completion of Singapore’s first methanol bunkering pilot on Thursday (27 July) has given the republic a lead in adopting methanol as a marine fuel, believes the Chief Operating Officer at The Methanol Institute.

The milestone operation between a Maersk containership and Hong Lam Marine tanker MT Agility was the first in Asia to feature a methanol-fuelled containership, and not a commercial product carrier transporting methanol, highlighted Chris Chatterton.

“Methanol bunkering operations to refuel methanol product carriers have already been done numerous times at many ports,” he told Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

“However, this marine refuelling pilot to a Maersk containership is remarkable and indicates Singapore will likely be a significant methanol bunkering hub in the future.

“Internationally, recent developments in Singapore demonstrate methanol is currently moving forward as an economical and viable alternative bunker fuel which will aid in the transition to cleaner shipping operations.”

Chatterton, who earlier stated 2022 to be “a significant turning point” for adoption of methanol as a bunker fuel due to developments led by A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, pointed out methanol dual fuel (DF) engine orders for newbuildings exceeded orders for LNG DF engines in June 2023.

In July, MAN Energy Solutions signed an agreement with containership owner and operator Seaspan Corporation in collaboration with global liner shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd for 15+45 methanol engine retrofit solutions.

To date, Clarksons Research data shows 135 methanol-fuelled vessels in the global orderbook with top five placements from Maersk, CMA CGM Evergreen, Express Feeders and COSCO.

“With more than 65% of these 135 methanol-fuelled newbuildings being containerships, there is a good chance a number of these vessels will be bunkering in Singapore,” he forecasts while adding “Singapore players have meanwhile been doing their due diligence preparing for such an event.”

In May, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) organised a Hazard Identification (HAZID) and Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) workshop to prepare for Singapore’s first methanol bunkering pilot.

The meeting was attended by over 40 participants from various methanol bunkering partners, such as the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Hong Lam Marine Pte Ltd, Maersk Oil Trading, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and Mitsui & Co. Energy Trading Singapore Pte Ltd. Representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs Singapore, Ministry of Manpower, National Environment Agency, and Singapore Civil Defence Force were also present.

International laboratory testing services firm Eurofins in May expanded operations to include surveying, sampling and testing packages for methanol bunker fuel within its product portfolio.

The Methanol Institute (MI) in May published the first comprehensive guide to methanol as a marine fuel.

In April, Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd placed a newbuilding order for six 6,500 dwt IMO Type 2 bunker tankers. The newbuilds are also capable of delivering a wide variety of conventional marine fuels as well as sustainable green fuels including biofuel and methanol.

During Singapore Maritime Week (SMW 2023), classification society DNV joined a working group on methanol bunkering, managed by the Standards Development Organisation at Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC-SDO).

Singapore bunker supplier Golden Island Diesel Oil Trading Pte Ltd, which has already finished the design phase for its methanol bunkering tanker, is planning to start bonded methanol bunkering operations at the republic in 2026.

In 2022, several players including PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, Air Liquide, YTL PowerSeraya Pte. Limited, Oiltanking Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Kenoil Marine Services Pte Ltd, and A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S signed a Memorandum of Understanding to start a ‘Green Methanol Value Chain Collaboration’ feasibility study project.

Related: Singapore bunkering sector enters milestone with first methanol marine refuelling op
RelatedMethanol Institute: ‘Turning point’ for methanol as bunker fuel reached with A.P. Moller – Maersk leading change
RelatedMAN ES in 15+45 methanol engine retrofit order with Hapag-Lloyd and Seaspan
RelatedMPA organises workshop on safe handling of methanol bunker fuel in Singapore
RelatedSingapore: Eurofins Mechem expands ops to include surveying, sampling and testing for methanol bunker fuel
RelatedMethanol Institute publishes first complete guide to methanol as a marine fuel
Related
Consort Bunkers receives “Pearl Khaoyai”, prepares for IMO 2030/2050 with IMO Type 2 bunker tanker orders
Related
SMW 2023: DNV joins Standards working group on methanol bunkering
RelatedSingapore: Golden Island begins fleetwide B30 biofuel bunker trial, starts tests with “Double Happiness”
RelatedSingapore: Golden Island Diesel Oil Trading to start methanol bunkering operations at republic by 2026
RelatedSNIC 2022: Kenoil shares green methanol bunkering endeavour and firm’s contribution to supply value chain
RelatedSingapore: Players in feasibility study for first green e-methanol plant in S.E.A.

 

Photo credit: The Methanol Institute
Published: 28 July, 2023

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LNG Bunkering

Shell expands LNG bunkering footprint in Spain with Valencia

As one of the region’s key maritime hubs, the company said Valencia expands the options available to shipowners seeking LNG supply along major shipping routes.

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Shell expands LNG bunkering footprint in Spain with Valencia

British oil giant Shell on Thursday (13 August) said Valencia has joined its growing network of bunkering locations, making LNG available as a marine fuel.

The successful completion of the first LNG bunkering operation in Valencia marked an important milestone for Spain and further strengthened Shell’s LNG supply capabilities across the Mediterranean. 

In a video shared by the company, bunkering vessel Alice Consulich was shown supplying an undisclosed volume of LNG to the container ship MSC Sabrina.

“As one of the region’s key maritime hubs, Valencia expands the options available to shipowners seeking LNG supply along major shipping routes,” Shell said in a social media post. 

Shell said the achievement reflected the strong collaboration across the maritime value chain, including MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, the Port of Valencia and Fratelli Cosulich Group.

“We look forward to making more LNG bunker deliveries in Valencia and across the Mediterranean as LNG infrastructure and capabilities continue to expand,” the company said. 

 

Photo credit: Shell
Published: 14 August, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Énestas and Power LNG join forces on Galveston bunkering

Énestas will provide capital, LNG transport and storage equipment, and downstream expertise to support Power LNG’s planned liquefaction and marine bunkering facility on Pelican Island.

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Stabilis Solutions enter 10-year LNG bunkering supply deal for Port of Galveston

Power LNG (Power LNG) and Mexico’s LNG infrastructure and downstream natural gas company Énestas on Wednesday (12 August) announced the execution of definitive agreements establishing a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of LNG infrastructure at the Port of Galveston.

Under the agreement, Énestas will provide capital, LNG transportation and storage equipment, and downstream operating expertise to support the development of the Harborside Terminal and Project Seawolf, Power LNG’s planned LNG liquefaction and marine bunkering facility on Pelican Island.

The partnership creates an immediate pathway to begin LNG distribution by truck while Project Seawolf is under development, supporting marine fueling, virtual pipeline customers, industrial users, and LNG exports throughout the Gulf Coast, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“Our vision has always been to establish Galveston as the premier LNG hub for the Gulf Coast,” said Austin Terry, Founder and CEO of Power LNG. 

“Énestas brings years of operational experience, proven LNG infrastructure, and a talented team that understands how to deliver LNG safely and efficiently. Together, we can immediately begin serving customers while laying the foundation for one of the most strategic LNG bunkering facilities in North America.”

Project Seawolf will provide LNG for marine bunkering, truck loading, virtual pipeline distribution, and international exports. The facility is strategically located at the Port of Galveston, serving one of the fastest-growing cruise, cargo, and energy corridors in the United States.

For Énestas, the transaction represented an important milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.

“This partnership represents a natural evolution for Énestas as we expand our downstream LNG business into the United States,” said Caio Zapata, Chief Executive Officer of Énestas. 

“For more than a decade, Énestas has developed and operated LNG infrastructure throughout Mexico, helping customers transition to cleaner, more reliable energy. Partnering with Power LNG allows us to leverage that experience in one of the most attractive LNG markets in North America. We see tremendous opportunities in marine bunkering, virtual pipeline logistics, industrial LNG supply, and exports to Latin America and the Caribbean, and we are excited to build that future together.”

The companies expect the partnership to support near-term LNG truck loading operations while advancing the long-term development of Project Seawolf, which is designed to become a regional hub for LNG production, marine fueling, and distribution.

The collaboration also establishes a platform to pursue additional downstream LNG opportunities throughout the Gulf Coast, utilising Énestas’ operational expertise together with Power LNG’s project development capabilities.

 

Photo credit: Port of Galveston
Published: 14 August, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Stabilis delivers more than 150,000 cbm of LNG bunker fuel at Galveston

Company says the advancement of its proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is a natural progression of its established LNG bunkering footprint in Galveston.

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Stabilis delivers more than 150,000 cbm of LNG bunker fuel at Galveston

Clean energy production solutions provider Stabilis Solutions (Stabilis) on Thursday (13 August) said it has completed 97 LNG bunkering operations and delivered more than 150,000 m³ of LNG to customers in the Port of Galveston.

“As the only physical supplier of LNG on the Gulf Coast to reach this milestone, we’ve earned a reputation as a trusted, proven operator — both with local Galveston stakeholders and with the world’s largest cruise operator,” the company said in a social media post.

“That trust is reflected in the 10-year LNG offtake agreement we executed in December 2025.”

The company said the advancement of its proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is a natural progression of its established LNG bunkering footprint in Galveston. 

“As a Houston-based company, we believe in the Texas economy and the future growth of the Port of Galveston,” it added.

“That belief is why we’ve invested heavily over the past four years in the planning, permitting, and engineering design work to develop the most advanced, derisked, shovel-ready small-scale LNG liquefaction project on the Gulf Coast.”

Manifold Times previously reported Stabilis stating that the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility is anticipated to be in production by the third quarter of 2028.

It will come complete with the delivery of the first new-build, dedicated Jones Act-compliant LNG bunker barge in the Galveston/Houston area.

This comes following Stabilis receiving a Letter of Recommendation from the US Coast Guard following their formal review of the proposed Stabilis Galveston LNG Facility and associated waterfront LNG loading, marine transportation, and LNG bunkering operations in the Port of Galveston.

Related: Stabilis Solutions targets Q3 2028 launch for Galveston LNG bunkering facility
Related: Stabilis Solutions terminates 10-year LNG supply deal, expects delay in Galveston project

 

Photo credit: Stabilis Solutions
Published: 14 August, 2026

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