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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
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Consort Bunkers receives “Pearl Khaoyai”, prepares for IMO 2030/2050 with IMO Type 2 bunker tanker orders
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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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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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