Having completed its first ship-to-ship methanol fuelling for the Stena Pro Patria in Rotterdam last week, Proman Stena Bulk has announced that its two methanol-fuelled tankers have become the first vessels to bunker methanol in Ulsan, South Korea, says an article published in Bunkerspot.
Bunker operation
Stena Pro Patria and Stena Pro Marine were each bunkered with over 2,000 tonnes of methanol. Each operation took approximately eight hours, a spokesperson for Proman told Bunkerspot.
The operation was carried out despite, noted Proman Stena Bulk, South Korea not being a methanol-producing country, and neither vessel was carrying methanol as cargo.
Proman Stena Bulk highlighted the strategic significance of the first bunkering in South Korea given the nation’s status as an important maritime hub, adding that the fuelling is a ‘positive sign’ for other methanol newbuild vessels currently on order within the region.
Way to sustainable shipping
‘The combination of low emission methanol and fuel-efficient vessels are important steps towards more sustainable shipping, so we’re proud that Stena Pro Patria and Stena Pro Marine have successfully bunkered methanol for the first time,’ said Erik Hånell, President and CEO of Stena Bulk.
‘The Stena Sphere has extensive experience in bunkering methanol for passenger ferries and in transporting methanol as a cargo, and this bunkering of methanol in Ulsan is further proof that infrastructure and availability is not a barrier for turning our vision of methanol as a key decarbonisation solution into reality.’
First commercial voyage
Anita Gajadhar, MD of Proman Shipping, Marketing and Logistics added: ‘This successful bunkering in Ulsan, combined with the fact that both Stena Pro Patria and Stena Pro Marine have commenced their first commercial methanol-fuelled voyages carrying various products for third party charterers around the globe, is another important and positive milestone for the JV and for our broader work in helping to develop methanol as a marine fuel.’
Gajadhar continued: ‘As these vessels show, methanol is already available and viable as an alternative fuel solution for shipping. Incorporating methanol bunkering into future fuel infrastructure regulations and policies that are currently being developed will help ensure guidelines are futureproofed as more low-carbon and renewable methanol sources come online, supporting the transition to lower emissions fuels across the industry.’
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Source: Bunkerspot
