San Pedro Bay Ports Launch Methanol Bunkering Pilot

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Mfame Editor
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  • Initiative supported by C40 Cities to boost clean fuel adoption.
  • The project aims to create a replicable model for U.S. ports.
  • Pilot to test safety, efficiency, logistics, and crew training.

The San Pedro Bay Ports (SPBP), which includes the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, is reaching out to maritime stakeholders to help kickstart a pilot-scale methanol bunkering demonstration project. With the backing of C40 Cities, a global network of mayors dedicated to cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in half by 2030, this initiative aims to position California as a frontrunner in the adoption of alternative fuels, reports Offshore Energy.

Project Goals and Vision

As the largest container gateway in the United States and one of the most emissions-heavy port complexes in California, SPBP sees the methanol bunkering pilot as a replicable model for other U.S. ports looking to embrace methanol. This project builds on the Clean Air Action Plan and Green Shipping Corridor initiatives, with key goals that include:

  1. Demonstrating operational feasibility by evaluating whether methanol bunkering can be carried out safely, efficiently, and reliably at a major U.S. port.
  2. Working alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, local fire departments, and other authorities to create streamlined permitting and compliance processes.
  3. Measuring and reporting on safety, emissions, logistics, and crew training outcomes to guide future standards.
  4. Supporting shipowners, suppliers, and infrastructure providers who are investing in methanol-capable vessels and fueling infrastructure.
  5. Mitigating early-adopter risks through collaborative risk-sharing via public-private partnerships (PPPs) and other strategies.
  6. Establishing a national model for the broader adoption of clean marine fuels to meet state, national, and international decarbonization goals.

Methanol as a Clean Marine Fuel

The maritime industry is experiencing a significant transformation, with ports, shipping companies, and fuel suppliers ramping up their efforts to reduce emissions and shift towards low- and zero-carbon fuels. Methanol is gaining traction as a promising option for achieving net-zero emissions, thanks to its lack of sulfur and its effectiveness in cutting down nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM).

Right now, over 300 vessels capable of using methanol are on order, and by 2030, the global supply of green and low-carbon methanol is projected to surpass 50 million tons annually. The environmental benefits and potential for decarbonization hinge on how the methanol is produced, with renewable sources like bio-methanol and e-methanol offering nearly zero lifecycle emissions.

Examples of Global Methanol Bunkering

Methanol bunkering is already making waves at ports around the globe:

  1. The Port of Rotterdam has been supplying ships with methanol since the summer of 2023.
  2. Shanghai Port in China welcomed its first methanol bunkering vessel in early 2024.
  3. The Port of Singapore, recognised as the world’s leading shipping hub, has recently upgraded its methanol bunkering operations by implementing new standards for the safe handling, transfer, and measurement of this fuel.

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Source: Offshore Energy