Methanol bunkering milestone at Ulsan

The port authority announced that it hoped that the move will also promote the growth of Korea’s sustainable marine fuelling industry given the intensification of competition among global ports for the methanol fuel market. The Motorship has reported regularly on Maersk’s efforts to secure supplies of renewable methanol in neighbouring East Asian locations in recent months.

“Following the success of the world’s first green methanol PTS bunkering for container ships in July last year, Ulsan Port has succeeded in green methanol STS bunkering for a very large container ship,” said Kim Jae-gyun, the president of Ulsan Port Authority.

“We will do our best to proactively respond to the paradigm shift in ship fuel so that Ulsan Port can be reborn as a hub port for sustainable marine fuel supply.”

Bunkering hub

The bunkering operation involved the Ane Maersk, owned by A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, which received green methanol from the bunkership, Golden Sunny Hana, Hana Marine), whilst at anchorage in trhe port.

South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries established its ‘Guidelines for Approval of Self-Safety Management Plan for Methanol Supply’ and accumulated know-how through two methanol supply demonstrations with Ulsan Port Authority in July and November last year.

The partnership said intends to continue to upgrade related systems, such as establishing standard operating procedures for the supply of methanol. It will also continue to work with the private sector to secure the economics of sustainable marine fuel supply.

“Competition among international ports to preempt the market by building ports that supply sustainable marine fuel is accelerating,” said Kang Do-Hyung, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.

“Under the goal of achieving net-zero by 2050 in the global shipping sector, we will make all-out efforts to strengthen competitiveness so that Korea can lead the global trend of switching to sustainable fuels.”