India’s VOC Port to launch methanol bunkering this month

The VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority will commence methanol bunkering at the port by the end of November.

IMAGE: Container ship docked at VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in India. VOC Port Authority

VOC Port is located on India's south-eastern coast, along the East-West international shipping route.

The port's methanol bunkering infrastructure comprises an onshore storage facility, connected to a jetty, through a 2.8-km pipeline for shore-to-ship fuel transfers.

The facility has a total storage capacity of 1,500 cbm across two tanks of 750 cbm each, according to the port authority.

The port authority conducted a ⁠training session at the proposed bunkering site last month in preparation for methanol bunkering. Personnel from its traffic, marine, mechanical, fire and safety departments participated in the mock drills and safety exercises.

VOC Port supports conventional marine fuel bunkering through ship-to-ship and shore-to-ship operations. Suppliers such as Indian Oil Corporation provide pipeline and barge-based deliveries, according to the port authority's website.

But the port authority has not yet announced, or issued, licences for ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at the port.

By Konica Bhatt

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