Green methanol bunkering potential in Melbourne

The MoU signed between Port of Melbourne, Maersk, ANL, Svitzer, Stolthaven Terminals, HAMR Energy and ABEL Energy will examine the potential of transportating green methanol from production sites in Bell Bay, Tasmania and Portland, Victoria, to the port for storage and bunkering.

“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, CEO, Port of Melbourne.

Forward thinking

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.

Of course, there’s a multitude of benefits involved for all of the partners in the project.

Maersk for example has already ordered container vessels that will be operated on green methanol, so the creation of bunkering hub like this in Australia is a huge step forward in creating the infrastructure it needs to service its vessels around the world.

HAMR Energy is developing a reen methanol facility in Portland, Victoria, which will rely entirely on natural and renewable resources available in Australia.

ABEL Energy meanwhile, is building Australia’s first green hydrogen and methanol project at the Port of Bell Bay, using Tasmania’s renewable hydro and wind-based power supply.