Port of Tanjung Pelepas wraps up first methanol bunkering operation

The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), a joint venture between MMC Group and APM Terminals, has completed the first methanol bunkering operation for a Maersk dual-fuel methanol container vessel.

The container vessel, named Antonia Maersk, is the third in a series of 18 large dual-fuel newbuilds by the Danish shipping giant, capable of sailing on methanol. The vessel was delivered in August this year.

PTP’s Chairman, Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, highlighted that this milestone marks PTP’s first-ever ship-to-containership methanol bunkering operation.

“This successful methanol bunkering operation demonstrates PTP’s readiness and capability to handle alternative marine fuels, paving the way for future trials and pilots of diverse and emerging fuel solutions,” he said.

“In preparation for this methanol bunkering operation, PTP worked closely with Maersk, Maersk Oil Trading, Malaysia Marine Department, Johor Port Authority, and various government agencies. Together, we conducted tabletop exercises and workshops, establishing rigorous safety procedures through comprehensive operational and risk assessments, modelling and validation; leading up to the deployment exercise,” PTP’s CEO, Mark Hardiman, added.

This year, PTP has achieved a significant milestone by consistently maintaining the performance of handling over one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) for six consecutive months, from May to October 2024. Moreover, the port currently ranks 15th among the world’s top container ports in terms of volume throughput.

In September last year, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas joined the Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) initiative, a government-to-government decarbonization scheme between Malaysia and Australia. The project aims to spearhead Malaysia’s decarbonizing effort in the maritime industry and to foster inclusive growth through sustainable infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, the port hosted what is believed to be ‘the first delivery’ of International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC EU) certified marine biofuel in April this year. As informed, Tumpuan Megah supplied approximately 4,500 metric tonnes of ISCC EU-certified B24 marine biofuel to a containership operated by Danish container shipping giant Maersk at the PTP.