Port of Long Beach offers $1 million prize for first commercial methanol bunkering call
In the United States on May 26, the Long Beach Harbor Commission approved a $1 million Clean Fuel Bunkering Challenge for the first oceangoing vessel to commercially bunker methanol at the Port of Long Beach, where methanol-capable ships already call but depart on conventional fuel because no methanol supply exists at the port.
Methanol bunkering costs roughly $1.5 million per call against approximately $1 million for conventional fuel. The award is intended to offset that gap and cover additional costs including safety procedures, permitting and fuel distribution development.
The port cited Shanghai and Singapore, both Green Shipping Corridor partners with Long Beach, as markets where commercial methanol bunkering is already established. The port also plans to update its Green Ship Incentive Program within the year to encourage more routine cleaner ship visits.
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
