Energy logistics firm Exolum, methanol producer Methanex and energy company Ørsted have launched the UK’s first commercially ready bio-methanol storage and supply service for shipping at the Port of Immingham.
The port, the UK’s largest by cargo volume, is a major gateway for energy and bulk materials and is seen as a strategic hub for scaling low-carbon marine fuels.
The new service will provide marine bunkering for bio-methanol, one of the leading alternative fuels being adopted to decarbonise shipping.
Under the collaboration, Exolum will deliver the storage and fuelling infrastructure at its Immingham facility and Methanex will supply the bio-methanol. Ørsted will be the first customer, fuelling offshore wind farm service-operation vessels supporting its North Sea assets.
The launch comes as the International Maritime Organization has deferred a vote on implementation of its Net Zero Framework, a key policy for reducing global shipping emissions. Despite the delay, the partners said they are pressing ahead with practical solutions to cut emissions.
“This initiative marks a significant milestone for the Port of Immingham and the wider maritime sector. By enabling bio-methanol bunkering, we are taking practical steps toward decarbonising one of the hardest-to-abate industries,” said Steven Clapperton, head of marine (Humber) at Associated British Ports, owner of Port of Immingham.
According to government data, UK shipping emissions reached 5.2 MtCO2e in 2023, equivalent to around 4.7% of the country’s domestic transport emissions.
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