Maersk and CMA CGM look to set up methanol bunkering in Australia’s largest box port

Maersk and CMA CGM’s Australian subsidiary ANL have signed up to explore the commercial feasibility of establishing a green methanol bunkering hub at the Port of Melbourne.

A memorandum of understanding signed also by Maersk towage unit Svitzer, Stolthaven Terminals, HAMR Energy, ABEL Energy and the Port of Melbourne, will see the partners look at transportation of green methanol from production sites in Bell Bay, Tasmania and Portland, Victoria to Port of Melbourne for storage and bunkering services.

The MoU provides a starting point for the parties to work together to explore the various elements of establishing a green methanol bunkering hub and identify any challenges that would need to be addressed.

“Decarbonisation of the maritime industry is really gaining pace. As Australia’s largest container port with around 3,000 ships visiting annually, it makes sense that we look at ways to work together with customers, service providers and producers to understand the needs of the market,” said Saul Cannon, chief executive of Port of Melbourne.

Danish liner Maersk, which recently launched its first methanol dual-fuel feeder boxship, has been working hard to secure the fuel for its upcoming newbuilds from South Korea. Meanwhile, its French counterpart has been adding more methanol-fuelled newbuilding orders at China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC).

“Maersk has already ordered container vessels that will be operated on green methanol, which is a proven solution for reducing the shipping industry’s carbon emissions and mitigating its impact on the environment. As an island nation with high dependency on ocean transport, it’s vital that Australia takes a leadership role to enable the fuel transformation from fossil to green fuel,” stated My Therese Blank Maersk regional head of market for Oceania.

“Alternative energies are key to the reduction of carbon emissions throughout the supply chain. Green Methanol presents another excellent opportunity for the shipping industry to decarbonise and we are supportive of the robust exploration of a bunkering hub such as this,” added Shane Walden, managing director of ANL.

---