Singapore Maritime Authority (MPA) and Qingdao Port, part of the Shandong Port Group, have signed an agreement to explore pilot and demonstration projects for methanol bunkering and other near-zero emission fuels on direct Singapore-Qingdao routes. The start date for these projects has not yet been determined.
Bunkering Projects and Methanol Demand
The two parties will also examine how to aggregate the demand for methanol bunkering and exchange knowledge regarding bunkering standards and operational procedures. This collaboration could lead to improved bunkering service quality and reduced costs.
Previous Experiences in Methanol Bunkering
Qingdao Port conducted its first methanol bunkering in August 2025, where the container ship Cosco Shipping Carnation received 200 tons of methanol. Additionally, in July, the ship OOCL Wisdom with a capacity of 24,000 TEU received 1,500 tons of green methanol ship-to-ship at this port.
On the Singapore side, PetroChina Singapore received the bunkering vessel Vanda Pioneer in October, which is capable of carrying methanol and 100% biofuel (B100). This vessel will be used as part of the necessary infrastructure to realize the Singapore-China Green Corridor.
The agreement is for the implementation of the Singapore-China corridor, which the two governments agreed upon in October 2025 without specifying particular fuels. Additionally, the ports will exchange vessel occurrence data through digital systems that MPA has previously established to better predict vessel arrival times and plan for berthing.
