Methanol Operators Adopt Multi-Port Bunkering | Mariner News

Ship operators utilizing methanol as a marine fuel are increasingly adopting multi-port bunkering strategies for longer voyages, including the Asia-Europe trade lanes, according to a recent report by the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS).

The report, “Methanol Ship Design and Operations,” highlights that methanol’s lower energy density necessitates greater tank volumes to achieve energy parity with conventional fuels. This fundamental characteristic directly impacts both vessel voyage endurance and available cargo capacity, making strategic fuel planning a critical operational consideration for early adopters.

For extended routes, operators are preferring multiple bunkering stops over a single fuel acquisition for the entire journey. This operational adjustment is also influencing how vessels manage cargo lift, with some operators modifying bunkering schedules to minimize capacity impacts.

A notable shift in procurement patterns indicates some liner operators are moving away from spot market transactions for methanol. Instead, they are establishing regular bunkering arrangements with consistent suppliers. This suggests an evolving maturity in the methanol bunker market, where stability and reliability of supply are becoming increasingly important for commercial operations.

The findings, derived from the experiences of early adopters and those involved in the design, construction, maintenance, and support of methanol-fuelled vessels, provide critical insights into how this alternative fuel is being managed in commercial service.