Long Beach launches methanol bunkering race

The Clean Fuel Bunkering Challenge will reward the first oceangoing vessel to refuel with methanol at the Californian port on a commercial scale.

It’s an initiative which is designed to stimulate investment in methanol bunkering, strengthen port infrastructure and encourage the shipping industry’s transition toward alternative fuels.

“We know the shipping industry is considering moving toward adopting methanol marine fuel for some great reasons – they want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. [Now] we’re giving them one million more reasons to embrace clean fuels,” said Dr Noel Hacegaba, CEO, Port of Long Beach.

Sustainability strategy

The challenge forms part of the port’s wider sustainability strategy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality across the San Pedro Bay gateway.

According to the port, the programme also reflects growing industry interest in energy diversification and energy independence amid rising conventional fuel costs.

Methanol-capable vessels are already calling at Long Beach, but the port currently lacks commercial methanol bunkering capability, forcing ships to depart using conventional marine fuel.

The award is intended to offset the cost gap between methanol and traditional bunker fuels, while also supporting operational planning, safety procedures and permitting processes with fuel suppliers and local agencies.

Port officials said the initiative was influenced by established methanol bunkering activity at the ports of Shanghai and Singapore, both partners in Green Shipping Corridors with the San Pedro Bay ports.

The Port of Long Beach also plans to revise its Green Ship Incentive Program within the next year to encourage more routine visits from cleaner vessels and further expand the methanol market.

Back in 2025, San Pedro Bay Ports launched a groundbreaking pilot to advance alternative fuels, modernise port infrastructure and decarbonise port operations through methanol bunkering.

The intention was to test and prepare port infrastructure and port operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for handling methanol.