Methanex, Stena Line and Port of Gothenburg Achieve New Methanol Marine Fuel Milestone
World’s first methanol ferry is first non-tanker to bunker via ship-to-ship
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Methanex
Corporation (TSX:MX) (NASDAQ:MEOH), Stena Line and the Port of Gothenburg are
proud to mark a new milestone in advancing methanol as a cleaner burning
marine fuel—supporting the shipping industry’s shift towards decarbonization.
First methanol ferry
On January 23, the world’s first methanol ferry, the Stena Germanica, was the
first non-tanker to successfully complete ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at
the Port of Gothenburg in cooperation with Methanex. This partnership is
another demonstration of the leadership role that the parties play in growing
the demand for methanol as a marine fuel and their commitment to playing an
active role in supporting the industry’s energy transition.
“As the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol, we’re pleased to
continue our collaboration with Stena Line to demonstrate that methanol is a
leading alternative, cleaner burning, future-proof marine fuel,” said Karine
Delbarre, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing & Logistics, Methanex. “This
first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering for a non-tanker, leveraging our
partners E&S Tankers and Port of Gothenburg, is further evidence that methanol
is globally available, safe to ship, store and handle using procedures similar
to those for conventional marine fuels.”
Ship-to-Ship bunkering
“The Stena Germanica, connecting Gothenburg, Sweden with Kiel, Germany, became
the world’s first methanol-powered ferry when Stena Line converted the 240
metre vessel in 2015 in partnership with Methanex, Wärtsilä, the Port of
Gothenburg and the Port of Kiel,” said Maria Tornvall, Head of Sustainability
at Stena Line. “We welcome ship-to-ship bunkering as a tool to achieve a
stable and efficient supply chain for methanol which is critical in Stena
Line’s shift to alternative fuels and to retain our position as a leader in
sustainable shipping.”
As the largest port in Scandinavia, the Port of Gothenburg’s ambition is to
become the primary bunkering hub for renewable methanol in Northern Europe.
“This is a door-opening demonstration, proving that there is a feasible way to
handle ship-to-ship methanol bunkering. With this, we are strengthening our
position as a bunker hub and at the same time showcasing that this can be done
in a safe and efficient way. Not only here, but also in other ports around the
world,” said Christoffer Lillhage, Senior Business Development Manager, Energy
at the Gothenburg Port Authority.
Methanol as an alternative marine fuel has ultra-clean burning properties that
meet increasingly stringent air quality emissions regulations in the maritime
sector. Compared to conventional marine fuels, methanol reduces emissions of
sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) by more than 95 per cent,
nitrogen oxides (NOx) by up to 80 per cent and CO[2] from combustion by up to
15 per cent.
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Source: Bloomberg
