The San Pedro Bay Ports (SPBP), consisting of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, are set to trial methanol bunkering under an initiative convened by C40 Cities with support from consultancy ICF.
A request for information issued on 24 September invites industry stakeholders to contribute to the project design.
The pilot aims to demonstrate the feasibility of methanol bunkering, create a clear permitting pathway with the US Coast Guard and local fire departments, and generate operational insights on safety, emissions and supply logistics.
Public–private risk-sharing will also be considered to reduce early-adopter hurdles.
Methanol has already been bunkered in Rotterdam, Singapore and Shanghai, and more than 300 methanol-capable vessels are now on order worldwide.
C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 mayors, is backing the effort to accelerate shipping’s shift to cleaner energy in line with the Paris Agreement.
