Weekly Highlights of Alternative‑Fuel Bunkering
During the past week the number of successful alternative‑fuel bunker deliveries continued to rise, underscoring the sector’s momentum. Two vessels equipped for ammonia received green ammonia, while a methanol‑capable container ship was supplied with bio‑methanol, illustrating the diversification of supply chains.
Ammonia Bunkering Milestones
- Terra Clove (South Korea) – Operated by Eastern Pacific Shipping, the vessel was bunkered with green ammonia at Ulsan. The fuel originated from Envision Energy’s Inner Mongolia production plant and was delivered by South Korean supplier Lotte Fine Chemical.
- Mineral Europa (Australia) – In a ship‑to‑ship trial at Port Hedland, CMB.TECH’s vessel received an undisclosed quantity of green ammonia from the ammonia bunker vessel Shenghang Yongle. The test builds on a 2024 pilot run authorized by the port authority.
Methanol Bunkering Development
OOCL’s methanol‑compatible container ship OOCL Grace took on 983 metric tonnes of bio‑methanol at Yantian, China. The delivery showcases the growing ability of Asian ports to handle liquid alternative fuels.
Demand‑Aggregation Strategies
Port authorities are moving beyond isolated bunkering events toward more predictable demand. Singapore’s port authority and Qingdao Port have signed a memorandum to explore joint methanol bunkering along their shared shipping corridor, with plans to pool demand and justify regular supply contracts.
Future Market Outlook
A joint feasibility study by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach projects methanol bunker demand of 64,000‑250,000 mt per year by 2030, alongside LNG demand of 65,000‑115,000 mt per year. These figures provide a glimpse of the volume that fuel suppliers must be prepared to serve.
Infrastructure Gaps
Despite the upward trend, infrastructure remains limited. As of April, only 29 ports worldwide offered any form of methanol bunkering, according to Clarksons Research. Ammonia bunkering facilities are even scarcer, with only a handful of major ports having conducted such operations.
DNV reports 171 methanol‑ and ethanol‑compatible vessels in service and 292 on order through 2031, while eight ammonia‑compatible ships are operating and 42 are on order for delivery by 2030. The disparity between vessel capability and port readiness highlights the need for coordinated investment.
Order Book Signals
October saw 53 new alternative‑fuel vessel orders, including 30 LNG‑capable ships and four ammonia‑capable vessels, ending a brief lull in ammonia orders. This activity suggests sustained confidence among shipowners despite current infrastructure constraints.
Overall, the week’s bunkering events demonstrate that alternative fuels are moving from experimental pilots to commercial reality. Realising regular, large‑scale deliveries will depend on expanding storage, refining supply chains, and fostering collaborative demand‑aggregation among ports and fuel suppliers.