ABS releases industry first advisory on methanol bunkering

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical advisory services to the maritime industry, has recently released its latest publication titled “ABS Methanol Bunkering: Technical and Operational Advisory,” further enhancing its suite of guidance on methanol as a marine fuel.

Integral to the methanol value chain and the broader scalability of this fuel is the capability to bunker methanol efficiently, whether through truck-to-ship, ship-to-ship, or land storage tank/terminal-to-ship methods.

The newly launched advisory aims to offer the maritime sector valuable insights into the complexities of bunkering methanol and outlines strategies to effectively tackle these challenges.

John McDonald, president and COO of ABS, highlighted the organisation’s unique perspective on the adoption of methanol as a marine fuel, given its role as the class provider for the world’s largest methanol-fueled vessel and its involvement in numerous methanol-based projects. McDonald emphasised ABS’s commitment to supporting the safe integration of methanol into the industry and expressed pride in offering this publication to assist owners, operators, and shipyards in addressing bunkering-related challenges related to operations, design, and training.

The advisory publication covers a wide range of topics, including technical and operational challenges encountered by suppliers and receiving vessels. It addresses critical design considerations, regulatory compliance requirements, best practices for safe operations, key operational processes to be mindful of, training needs, and safety considerations throughout the bunkering process.