China has recently unveiled what is believed to be the first set of standards for methanol bunkering in the country.
China Petroleum Circulation Association and the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association have released two group standards: the marine methanol fuel waterborne refuelling regulations and marine methanol fuel, according to Cosco Shipping.
The new standards were unveiled at the Green Methanol Refuelling Capacity Building Conference organised by China’s state-owned bunker supplier China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) Co, or Chimbusco, during the recent Global Sustainable Transportation Forum in Beijing.
The event also saw China Classification Society and Bureau Veritas issue approvals-in-principle (AIPs) to Chimbusco and Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry for a 7,800-dwt dual-fuel green methanol bunkering vessel.
“This is the first set of standards in China for methanol refuelling operations and quality control, which fills a gap in the domestic market,” said Cosco Shipping.
“The release of these standards, along with the approval of the dual-fuel powered green methanol bunkering vessel, signifies a major step towards completing the first green methanol refuelling technology chain in China.
“This achievement is complemented by the establishment of relevant methanol refuelling guidelines and inspection specifications by [China Classification Society] and [Bureau Veritas],” the shipowner added.
Alex Gregg-Smith, senior vice president of Bureau Veritas, said this vessel was the “first of its kind designed in China” and represents a “significant milestone in the shipping industry’s decarbonisation efforts”.
Cosco Shipping recently announced it was leading a Chinese project to develop a green methanol industrial supply chain.
It has teamed up with State Power Investment Corp Ltd, Shanghai International Port Group and China Certification & Inspection Group for the initiative.
Cosco Shipping said the companies involved plan to leverage their respective knowledge to ensure the successful development of all key aspects of the green methanol industrial chain, and one that meets both domestic and foreign green certification standards.
The world’s largest shipowner has recently ordered 12 methanol dual-fuel container ships, each with a capacity of 24,000 teu, making them among the largest in the world.
