Hapag-Lloyd has completed its first biomethanol bunkering operation worldwide, taking on 3,000 tonnes of fuel aboard the Seaspan Amazon in Shanghai, according to fuel supplier SIPG Energy.

The delivery was carried out by SIPG Energy’s bunker vessel Haigang Zhiyuan between August 31 and September 1, 2026, at Shanghai COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry’s Changxing Island shipyard, where the containership underwent conversion to methanol dual-fuel propulsion.

The Seaspan Amazon is the second vessel in a series of 10,000-TEU containerships to complete the methanol conversion. Work included installing methanol storage tanks and fuel supply systems, modifying the main engine, and upgrading engine controls, remote-control systems and onboard automation. The yard also completed integrated testing and commissioning.

The conversion enables the vessel to operate on methanol as well as conventional marine fuel, expanding its fuel options and providing a route to lower greenhouse gas emissions when using sustainably produced methanol.

The project forms part of Hapag-Lloyd’s wider fleet decarbonisation programme. The German carrier plans to convert five large containerships to methanol propulsion in 2026–2027 and has ordered eight methanol dual-fuel newbuildings. Under its Strategy 2030, the company aims to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions by around one-third by 2030 and achieve net-zero fleet operations by 2045.