Methanex Corporation, a leading methanol producer, announced that in collaboration with its marine subsidiary, Waterfront Shipping (WFS), it has conducted a ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering of marine methanol fuel at the Port of Point Lisas in Trinidad and Tobago. The methanol bunkering operation was carried out using the “SEYMOUR SUN,” a methanol dual-fuel chemical tanker chartered and operated by WFS from NYK Bulkship (Asia), a member of the NYK Group.
(Text by Hiro Yamamoto)
Photo courtesy= Methanex Corporation
This STS transfer of marine methanol fuel was made possible through the cooperation of several entities, including the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (National Energy), Paria Fuel Trading Company, NYK, Green Marine, Bunker Holding, Uni-Tankers, and Dan Bunkering. This marks the first time that methanol fuel has been supplied via the STS method in the Caribbean region.
The STS operation took place at a terminal of the National Energy Corporation within the Port of Point Lisas, where the fuel was transferred from the “ALSIA SWAN,” a 7,700 deadweight ton chemical/oil tanker operated by Uni-Tankers.
“Methanex and Waterfront Shipping have been at the forefront of developing methanol as a marine fuel since 2013,” said Paul Hexter, President of Waterfront Shipping. “Methanol is safe to ship, store, handle and bunker using procedures similar to conventional fuels. Today’s demonstration in Trinidad and Tobago is another step in supporting the shipping industry’s transition to lower-emission fuels.”
The demonstration was conducted using the Alsia Swan, a vessel operated by Uni-Tankers, at the National Energy Corporation’s terminal within the Port of Point Lisas. This port, strategically located and known as the “Gateway to the Americas,” operates 24/7 and serves containerized cargo from the U.S., Europe, the United Kingdom, and the Far East.
“This bunkering demonstration is a defining moment for the longstanding partnership between National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited and Methanex,” said Dr. Vernon Paltoo, President of National Energy. “By successfully conducting the first methanol ship-to-ship bunkering demonstration in the region, we have proven that our world-class maritime infrastructure is fully capable of supporting the energy transition. This demonstration positions Trinidad and Tobago as a key player in decarbonizing the maritime sector and establishes Point Lisas as a preferred destination for future methanol refueling operations.”
The successful bunkering demonstration further proves methanol is a safe and simple-to-handle cleaner fuel that provides a future-proof pathway to a low-carbon future. Methanol complies with MARPOL Annex VI regulations reducing Sulfur Oxide (SOx) emissions, particulate matter (PM) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions.
“Paria Fuel takes pride in being the leader in regional bunkering,” said Mushtaq Mohammed, General Manager of Paria Fuel Trading Company Ltd. “Our involvement in this demonstration signals our readiness to support the shift to alternative bunker fuels in Trinidad and Tobago and across the region.”
Methanex remains committed to its leadership in the use of lower-emission methanol as a marine fuel. Since 2016, Waterfront Shipping has been operating methanol dual-fuel ships, accumulating over 200,000 operating hours. Today, 19 of its vessels—more than 60% of its fleet—are dual-fuel, underscoring its critical role in proving this technology for the wider shipping industry.
〆メタネックス（Methanex Corporation）はNYK Bulkship (Asia)のケミカル船にシップ・ツー・シップ（ＳＴＳ）方式で船舶用メタノール燃料の補給を行った
メタノール生産大手メタネックス（Methanex Corporation）は、メタネックスの海運子会社ウォーターフロントシッピング（Waterfront Shipping、ＷＦＳ）と協力し、トリニダード・トバゴ（Trinidad and Tobago）のポイント・リサス（POINT LISAS）港でシップ・ツー・シップ（ＳＴＳ）方式による船舶用メタノール燃料の補給を行ったと発表した。今回のメタノールバンカリング（燃料供給）は、ＷＦＳが日本郵船グループのNYK Bulkship (Asia) から用船し運航しているメタノール２元燃料ケミカルタンカー「ＳＥＹＭＯＵＲ ＳＵＮ」で実施された。
(Text by Hiro Yamamoto)
Photo courtesy= Methanex Corporation
今回の船舶燃料用メタノールのSTSはトリニダード・トバゴ国営エネルギー会社（National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited 、National Energy）、パリア燃料取引会社（Paria Fuel Trading Company）、NYK、グリーンマリーン、バンカーホールディング、ユニ・タンカーズ（Uni-Tankers）、ダンバンカリング（and Dan Bunkering ）との協力により実現した。
ＳＴＳ方式でメタノール燃料が供給されるのはカリブ海で初めてである。
今回のSTSはポイント・リサス港内にあるトリニダード・トバゴ国営エネルギー会社のターミナルで、ユニ・タンカーズが運航する７７００重量㌧型ケミカル・オイルタンカー「ＡＬＳＩＡ ＳＷＡＮ」から燃料が供給された。