Chemical Tanker Kokuryu Maru Completes First Biomethanol Bunkering

The recent completion of the first biomethanol bunkering for the chemical tanker Kokuryu Maru signifies a tangible advancement in the adoption of alternative fuels within the chemical tanker segment. This operation, involving domestically produced biomethanol, highlights the growing feasibility of using lower-carbon fuels for vessels.

The Kokuryu Maru, a 1,223 DWT vessel, is designed to operate on methanol and also functions as a bunkering vessel. Its initial fuelling with biomethanol, produced via a mass balance method, demonstrates a practical application of sustainable fuel sourcing. This development is particularly relevant for operators managing fleets that frequently call at ports where alternative fuel infrastructure is being established.

For vessel operators trading to European, UK, Mediterranean, Turkish, Black Sea, or Middle Eastern ports, this event underscores the increasing availability and logistical integration of methanol as a viable fuel. As more vessels are built or retrofitted for methanol, and bunkering capabilities expand across these regions, operators will need to stay abreast of fuel availability, pricing, and the associated operational requirements. The successful bunkering of Kokuryu Maru suggests a maturing supply chain for this alternative fuel.

This milestone offers a practical insight into the operationalisation of methanol-powered shipping. It indicates that the infrastructure and supply chains for methanol bunkering are progressing, paving the way for wider adoption. Operators should monitor the development of methanol bunkering facilities in their key trading areas.