Golden Island will conduct bio-methanol bunkering trials

Singapore-based bunker supplier Golden Island will begin bio-methanol bunkering trials with its newly constructed IMO Type 2 tanker in Singapore.

PHOTO: Cargo terminal at Port of Singapore. Getty Images

An IMO Type 2 chemical tanker is designed to transport moderately hazardous chemicals, according to International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards.

Bio-methanol for these trials will be supplied by Hong Kong-based producer The Hong Kong and China Gas Company (Towngas) from its plant in China.

“The vessel is scheduled to depart a Chinese shipyard by late April and will lift the green methanol produced by Towngas before returning to Singapore to begin bunkering trials in July 2025,” Towngas said.

Towngas's plant in China currently produces 100,000 mt/year of bio-methanol from biomass feedstock, with plans to increase output to 150,000 mt/year by the end of 2025.

The company has also partnered with Chinese energy firm Foran Energy Group to develop a 200,000 mt/year bio-methanol plant by 2028. The duo aims to “establish multiple green methanol production bases across China”, targeting a combined production capacity of 1 million mt/year.

Its partnership with Foran Energy will help Towngas expand its capacity to “serve major ports in South China and the Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen,” it added.

By Konica Bhatt

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