Hapag-Lloyd bunkering biomethanol in Busan. Image Credit: Hapag-Lloyd

Ship operators using methanol as a marine fuel favour multi-port bunkering strategies for longer voyages, including Asia-Europe trades, according to a report by the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS).

The report released yesterday, Methanol Ship Design and Operations, draws on the experience of early adopters operating methanol-fuelled vessels and organisations involved in their design, construction, maintenance and support.

It examines how the fuel is being managed in commercial service.

Methanol’s lower energy density means vessels need more tank volume to carry the energy equivalent of conventional marine fuels.

This affects both voyage endurance and cargo capacity, making fuel planning an important consideration for operators.

The report said operators on longer trades such as Asia-Europe preferred a multi-port bunkering strategy rather than relying on a single fuel stop for the entire voyage.

Some operators have also adjusted their bunkering patterns to limit the impact on cargo capacity.

These measures include taking on methanol more than once during a voyage, bunkering on backhaul legs and avoiding a full fuel load when the resulting cargo-capacity penalty is commercially unattractive.

Fuel availability has also influenced vessel deployment.

The report found that some operators tied methanol-fuelled vessels to established supply hubs, particularly Rotterdam, where reliable supply and familiar bunkering procedures supported regular operations.

China and Singapore served as initial bunkering hubs for some operators.

Some container lines have moved away from spot procurement towards regular supplies from the same supplier, aligning bunkering with weekly or fortnightly service schedules.

The report’s findings are based on the experiences of early adopters and should not be taken as representative of every methanol-fuelled vessel or operator.

The report can be downloaded from here.