Vale-backed orders bring ethanol into bulk shipping
In Brazil, mining giant Vale’s long-term iron ore shipping contracts are underpinning orders for 19 bulk carriers capable of using methanol or ethanol, The Korea Maritime News reported Nov. 3, citing research by British maritime consultancy Drewry.
The vessels are part of Vale’s broader program involving up to 30 large ore carriers. Unlike container ships operating on relatively fixed routes, bulk carriers frequently change destinations, making access to alternative fuels a significant consideration.
Not all shipowners are making the same investment. Hong Kong’s Pacific Basin switched four planned methanol dual-fuel bulk carriers to conventional propulsion, cutting construction costs by $29.2 million. The company cited uncertainty surrounding the IMO Net-Zero Framework.
Drewry found that methanol accounted for just 0.3% of alternative fuel consumption in international shipping in 2025, illustrating the gap between alternative-fuel vessel orders and actual fuel use.
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
