China’s Yangshan port executes first SIMOPs methanol bunkering

A.P. Moller-Maersk’s vessel, Annie Maersk, was bunkered with 3,000 mt of methanol during cargo unloading operations, according to Chinese port operator Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG).

PHOTO: Aerial view of China's Yangshan port. China Communications Construction Company

Simultaneous operations (SIMOPs) refer to the process where ships receive bunker fuel while unloading cargo simultaneously. This method is designed to reduce vessels' docking time in port.

This marked the first "ship-to-ship simultaneous refueling" operation for a large methanol-powered container ship this year in the port, SIPG said.

It shows that "methanol bunkering in Yangshan Port has entered the normalization stage," it added.

The ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering was carried out by the SIPG-operated tanker, Haigang Zhiyuan. The identity of the methanol supplier has not been disclosed.

By Konica Bhatt

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online