Shanghai Port completed its first bunkering operation involving locally produced green methanol on July 16.

The methanol bunker vessel Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, operated by SIPG Energy, supplied 2,824 tonnes of green methanol to the methanol dual-fuel vehicle carrier Arctic Tern through a ship-to-ship operation at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal.

The operation marked the first large-scale supply of locally produced green methanol to an international vehicle carrier at Shanghai Port. It also completed a local value chain covering green methanol production, storage and marine fuel bunkering.

The 9,300-CEU Arctic Tern is operated by EUKOR Car Carriers and deployed on long-haul vehicle transportation services between Asia and Europe. Vehicle loading and fuel bunkering were carried out simultaneously, helping to shorten the vessel’s port stay and improve operational efficiency.

All the green methanol supplied during the operation came from a Shanghai-based production project with an annual capacity of 100,000 tonnes.

On July 6, Hai Gang Zhi Yuan loaded the fuel at Vopak’s storage facilities in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in preparation for the bunkering operation.

Shanghai International Port Group, Shenergy Group, Shanghai Chengtou Group and Shanghai Huayi Holdings Group have worked together to develop an integrated value chain covering municipal solid waste, biomethane, green methanol production and marine fuel bunkering.

The operation was supported by the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, Shanghai Customs, the Shanghai Immigration Inspection Station and other local authorities. The Pudong maritime authorities provided regulatory and safety support throughout the planning and execution of the operation.