Proman scales up methanol bunkering in Trinidad and Tobago

Methanol producer and supplier Proman is highlighting the potential of the port of Point Lisas, Trinidad and Tobago, as a methanol bunkering hub with 2,100 MT of methanol to be delivered to ships in August 2024.

Stena Prosperous, a methanol-powered tanker owned by Proman’s joint venture (JV) with Stena Bulk, was refueled in the port of Point Lisas on 16 August after arriving in Trinidad and Tobago following the naming ceremony in Singapore, Proman said.

As reported, having been bunkered in Singapore with a 20/80 green/conventional methanol blend, the journey to Trinidad delivered CO2e savings of 31% compared to the same voyage operated on very low sulphur fuel Oil (VLSFO).

Stena Pro Patria, the JV’s first methanol-fueled tanker, will also be refueled at the port of Point Lisas in the coming days.

The 49,900 dwt IMOIIMeMAX vessels are part of the six-strong fleet commissioned by Proman and Stena Bulk in 2019 and delivered between 2022 and January 2024. All six ships are now on the water operating on methanol instead of VLSFO, delivering over 8,000 tonnes of GHG emissions savings for 2024, Proman estimates.

With the two ships refueling this month, Proman will have supplied 2,100 MT of methanol fuel to vessels in August alone, and 12,500 MT in the past twelve months in Trinidad and Tobago, further demonstrating the island country’s potential as a methanol bunkering hub.

Anita Gajadhar, Executive Director, Marketing and Logistics at Proman said: “Methanol is increasingly becoming a mainstream marine fuel as ship owners understand its versatility and cleaner burning properties. Because every methanol molecule is the same, no matter what feedstock it is produced from, it can be blended as production of green methanol is ramped up over time, providing a pathway to net zero.

“Stena Prosperous’ journey from Singapore to Trinidad has showcased this and the ability of ship owners to meet the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions reductions required by the IMO and regulatory frameworks such as Fuel EU Maritime with methanol.”

Methanol is available at over 120 ports globally, including Point Lisas in Trinidad, where methanol refueling is now regularly conducted. Data from DNV shows that 300 methanol-fueled vessels are expected to be on the water by 2027, not including bunker barges or retrofits, and over 70 have been ordered so far in 2024.

Aleeya Ali, Managing Director of Operations for Proman Trinidad, commented: “The huge increase in orders for methanol-fuelled ships, and our regular refuelling here in Trinidad, shows the viability of methanol as a marine fuel and the potential of Point Lisas and Trinidad as a bunkering hub. We are proud to not only export Trinidad produced methanol, which supports jobs, the local economy and our communities, but to also put Trinidad on the map as a hub for cleaner, alternative marine fuels.”