Consort Bunkers orders four methanol bunkering vessels

Consort Bunkers will receive the new vessels by 2026, adding to their existing methanol bunkering units. As informed, the vessels are designed with twin engines, twin propellers, and bow thrusters, enabling them to load product oil as well as Class II chemicals. They can carry fuels like methanol, fatty acid methyl ester, and biodiesel. 

Methanol bunkering operations

As explained by ABS, the main methods of methanol bunkering to ships are:

• Truck-to-ship bunkering using a road tanker — Truck-to-ship bunkering is the most commonly used method of bunkering methanol to date. Methanol is widely used for land-based operations within Europe and is transported according to the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) regulation as a Class 3 flammable liquid (UN 1230).
• Ship-to-ship bunkering (delivery by bunker ship) — Ship-to-ship bunkering, also referred to as “barge-to-ship” bunkering, is carried out while a ship is alongside at port or while at anchor. Fuel is provided from a bunker supply ship, tanker or barge to the receiving ship. Most large ships use this method of bunkering, although it may also be appropriate for smaller ships in some cases.
• Land storage tank (or Terminal) to ship bunkering, using a pipe or hose connection — Bunkering from a land storage tank or terminal is a suitable solution for ships operating out of a home port, such as the pilot or tugboat, and ships operating on fixed routes that bunker from compatible ports.

Generally, methanol has certain characteristics that make it a suitable marine fuel. It is a liquid at ambient temperatures and pressure, and can be stored in modified fuel tanks on existing vessels. This is why more and more industry stakeholders put their trust in methanol

In the first months of 2024, the AFI database has already recorded a staggering 70 new orders for methanol-fueled vessels, constituting a remarkable 56% of all alternative-fueled vessel orders this year.

On the other hand, Singapore, where Consort Bunkers is based, is poised to supply over 1 million metric tons of low-carbon methanol annually by 2030 to address the increasing demand for alternative bunker fuel.