Indian bio-methanol project targets bunkering demand

Indian conglomerate Thermax plans to develop a bio-methanol production plant at Deendayal Port (Kandla) in Gujarat, India, targeting future bunkering demand.

IMAGE: India's Deendayal Port in Kandla, Gujurat. X of Deendayal Port Authority

The facility is initially expected to produce around 5 mt/day of bio-methanol and has a planned annual production capacity of up to 18,000 mt. The plant will use biomass gasification technology developed by Indian startup Ankur Scientific.

The bio-methanol produced is expected to meet EU renewable fuel standards by achieving a purity level of 99.9%, Ankur Scientific said in a social media post.

Neither company has disclosed a timeline for the project so far.

However, Deendayal Port Authority has been actively working to develop methanol bunkering at the port.

Last month, a Stolt Tankers-owned vessel was bunkered with an undisclosed quantity of grey methanol during a trial shore-to-ship bunkering operation at the port.

By Konica Bhatt

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