In the United States, American Bureau of Shipping, ENEOS, NYK Line, and SEACOR Holdings have launched a joint study to develop a commercial-scale methanol bunkering network along the Gulf Coast. The project would mark the country’s first ship-to-ship methanol refueling infrastructure, advancing low-carbon marine fuel adoption in line with the IMO’s net-zero 2050 target.
ENEOS will lead methanol procurement and supply, sourcing fuel from C2X’s upcoming Beaver Lake Renewable Energy project in Louisiana. NYK will contribute technical support based on its LNG bunkering experience, while SEACOR will oversee barge operations using its U.S. coastwise and inland waterway assets. ABS will provide regulatory and class support to enable the first U.S. methanol bunkering project.
The partners aim to position methanol as a practical, near-term decarbonization option for domestic shipping, citing its ease of storage and handling at ambient temperatures and its potential for lifecycle emission reductions when derived from renewable sources.
The effort aligns with rising demand for methanol-powered ships and growing interest in U.S. fuel supply hubs. If successful, it would lay critical groundwork for a national methanol refueling network, expanding green shipping capacity while complying with the Jones Act and U.S. maritime safety rules.
More on the story
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
