Getting to grips with methanol bunkering

In 2020, Maersk’s former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Søren Skou, firmly dismissed LNG (liquified natural gas) as a viable option for decarbonisation of its fleet. Citing its status as a fossil fuel, he expressed a preference to leap directly to carbon-neutral alternatives. This stance was underpinned by concerns over LNG’s methane “well-to-wake” emissions. At that time, Maersk placed its bets on (green) methanol, positioning it as the preferred fuel for a zero-carbon future.

South Korea achieved its first simultaneous ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at Busan New Port, supplying 3,000t to Maersk’s dual-fuel vessel, Antonia Maersk.

Maersk has secured combined offtake agreements that now meet over 50% of the projected demand for its dual-fuel methanol vessels in 2027.

X-Press Feeders has cemented its position as the world’s largest common feeder operator, expanding its fleet by 21.8% since October 2023, says Alphaliner.

ZEMBA says e-methanol is the most likely pathway for ZEMBA’s next tender because of alignment between production and e-methanol-capable container ships on the water in 2027.

PLAGEN, partners ink deal to set up first commercial-scale green methanol plant in Taebaek City.