Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has completed its first ship-to-ship green methanol bunkering operation, strengthening its position in China’s alternative marine fuel supply landscape.
The operation, carried out on 22 April, saw 503 tonnes of green methanol supplied to COSCO Shipping Libra, a 20,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container vessel, from the bunker vessel Da Qing 268 in around one hour at the Meishan port area.
The milestone places the port among a limited number in China capable of delivering LNG, biofuels and methanol via ship-to-ship transfer — the dominant method for methanol bunkering globally and better suited to large vessels operating at high-traffic container hubs.
Authorities noted that methanol’s flammable, explosive and toxic properties require heightened safety protocols, including close coordination between vessels, terminal operators and shore-based agencies.
To facilitate the operation, maritime authorities in Zhejiang established a layered supervision framework covering risk controls across the full bunkering process, aimed at ensuring safe and efficient fuel transfer.
