In a landmark moment for sustainable maritime fuel use, the Port of Amsterdam successfully completed its first ship-to-ship green methanol bunkering. The operation highlights the port’s growing role as a hub for alternative fuels and marks a significant step toward reducing emissions in the shipping industry
A First for the Port and the Vessel
At the TMA Logistics terminal in the Amerikahaven, the offshore installation vessel Boreas received 500 tonnes of green methanol from the bunker vessel Chicago. The operation was executed safely and efficiently, marking the first such bunkering of its kind in the port.
The Boreas, a newly built offshore installation vessel and the largest in its category, is also the first of its kind to run on methanol, offering a lower-emission alternative to traditional marine fuels. Equipped with advanced emission control technology and a 6,000 kWh battery pack, it sets a new standard in sustainable vessel design.
Methanol: A Cleaner Fuel for the Future
The green methanol used in this operation was ISCC-certified and supplied by OCI HyFuels. Derived from sustainable sources such as waste and residual feedstocks, it produces significantly lower CO₂, particulate matter, and nitrogen emissions compared to conventional fuels.
A representative from the Port of Amsterdam emphasized the importance of this move: “We do this in collaboration with the Clean Marine Fuels Working Group, a working group within the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), which focuses on the preconditions ports need to support the energy transition in shipping. Together with this group, we have developed a safety checklist for bunkering operations.” said Clean Shipping Advisor Henri van der Weide.
Building a Multi-Fuel Port
This successful bunkering aligns with the Port of Amsterdam’s Clean Shipping Vision to become a Multi Fuel Port. The port is actively working to support the bunkering of alternative fuels like LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol by creating robust safety standards and collaborating with international stakeholders.
The port is a member of the Clean Marine Fuels Working Group under the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). This collaboration has led to the creation of practical tools like bunkering safety checklists, essential for safe and regulated alternative fuel handling.
Ensuring Safe Bunkering Practices
Safety remains central to any bunkering operation in the port. Methanol bunkering, like other alternative fuels, requires:
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Licensed bunker operators meeting IAPH safety standards
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Port-authorized locations designated as safe and suitable for bunkering
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A checklist-based approach to ensure risk mitigation at each step
With LNG bunkering already a routine operation in Amsterdam and recent advancements in hydrogen bunkering, the successful methanol bunkering sets the stage for wider adoption of low-emission fuel technologies.
The Port of Amsterdam’s commitment to sustainable shipping is evident in its support for first-mover operators and its work on enabling safe alternative fuel use. With ship-to-ship methanol bunkering now added to its capabilities, the port takes another step toward its goal of zero-emission shipping, reinforcing its status as a forward-thinking, multi-fuel maritime hub.
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Source: Port Of SAIL Amsterdam
