The first ever green methanol container ship will use only the lower-carbon fuel for its maiden voyage, Dutch supplier OCI Global has revealed.
Bashir Lebada, chief executive of OCI Methanol, told TradeWinds that AP Moller-Maersk’s 2,100-teu dual-fuel Maersk Solstice will run 100% on bio-methanol on its trip from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea to Copenhagen in Denmark this summer.
He said the actual volume involved is confidential, but runs to thousands of tonnes.
Lebada is not revealing a price for the fuel. But he said”: I think we can sell green methanol, and eventually green ammonia…at a price we feel is competitive.”
Referring to incoming carbon levies, the CEO added: “We can make a good return on our projects, and make it economically feasible for shipowners to buy this fuel and offset the penalty they would face. It’s better sustainably and better financially for them.”
Lebada explained the feeder newbuilding will bunker at four stops along the way, including the first in Ulsan, and then in Egypt as it transits the Suez Canal.
Two more ports, one in South-east Asia and another in northern Europe, are under negotiation for approvals.
OCI Global has been a household name in supplying methanol for cars since 2015 and is the first company to win bunkering licences for shipping in those regions.
Lebada said an initial sale like the Maersk deal will provide comfort for other shipowners that the fuel is out there now.
Close relationship with Maersk
“We’ve been talking to Maersk ever since they started methanol, so it’s become very symbiotic,” he added.
“It’s been business development mainly so far, we’re making sure our regulatory assets are aligned,” the CEO said.
“It’s become very collaborative, but there is negotiation on price. They’ve been amazing, they’ve led the way on really pushing this,” Lebada added.
The ship, which is due for delivery this month, can run on very low-sulphur fuel oil or green methanol.
