Port of Rotterdam Joins Global Methanol Alliance Board | Mariner News
The Port of Rotterdam has formally joined The Global Methanol Alliance (GMA), formerly known as the Methanol Institute, as both a member and a board participant. This strategic move, announced on October 13, 2026, positions one of the world’s leading bunkering hubs at the forefront of methanol’s global marine fuel adoption.
Rotterdam’s board appointment builds on its established role as an early mover in the methanol market. The port was the first globally to facilitate barge-to-ship methanol bunkering, and its commitment is underscored by recent operational data. In Q2, the port recorded biomethanol sales to ships reaching 2,845 metric tonnes, a substantial increase from 996 metric tonnes in the preceding quarter.
This formal integration places a critical port authority directly into the strategic development of the methanol value chain, extending its influence beyond regional operations. Alexander Döll, CEO of The Global Methanol Alliance, highlighted the port’s integral function, stating, “Building the methanol market takes the whole value chain, and ports are where supply, infrastructure and demand meet.”
Matthijs van Doorn, vice president commercial at the Port of Rotterdam, affirmed the fuel’s significance, noting, “Methanol will play a key role in decarbonising our industrial cluster and shipping.” The port’s direct involvement on the GMA board signals an intensified effort to standardize bunkering practices, accelerate infrastructure development, and potentially attract further investment in methanol-capable tonnage and supply logistics, providing a template for other ports in the energy transition.
