MI – The Global Methanol Alliance has signed a collaboration agreement with Green Marine to strengthen crew training, develop technical guidance and support the safe adoption of methanol as a marine fuel, as the global fleet of methanol-capable vessels continues to expand.

According to MI, more than 150 methanol-capable vessels are already in operation worldwide, with over 290 on order. Methanol bunkering infrastructure is also expanding across major ports, increasing the need for practical expertise in fuel handling, bunkering procedures, crew training and emergency preparedness.

The partnership will combine MI's global industry network, policy expertise and market knowledge with Green Marine's experience in maritime engineering, vessel operations and training.

Under the agreement, the two organisations will initially focus on three areas: maritime methanol training, joint policy research and technical guidance.

MI will serve as a knowledge partner to support Green Marine's practical training programmes, contributing industry expertise and insights from its members to help develop the skills required for safe methanol operations.

The organisations will also jointly prepare policy papers addressing the regulatory and operational requirements for wider methanol adoption. In addition, they plan to publish technical bulletins drawing on practical operating experience to guide shipowners, ports and fuel suppliers in handling methanol as a marine fuel.

Alexander Döll, CEO of MI – The Global Methanol Alliance, said that ensuring safe and reliable operations would be critical to methanol's long-term growth in shipping.

"Our members are investing in production, supply, and bunkering infrastructure, but those investments also depend on customers having the confidence to use methanol," he said, stressing the importance of properly trained crews and operational teams.

Fredrik Stubner, Founder and Group CEO of Green Marine, echoed that view, highlighting the need to match investment in methanol-capable vessels with the skills required to operate them safely.

"Ships are one part of the picture. The people operating them safely is the other," Stubner said.

Green Marine's services cover engineering support before vessel delivery, as well as training and operational guidance once ships enter service. The collaboration with MI is expected to help extend that expertise across the growing global methanol fleet.

The agreement comes as the shipping industry's focus on methanol increasingly extends beyond vessel construction and fuel availability to the practical requirements of operating methanol-powered ships safely and reliably.