Bunker One has confirmed the long-term charter of its first methanol-ready bunker tanker, MT Nore, which as of May 2023 received the necessary bunkering permits and certifications to supply ships passing Gothenburg and Skaw with methanol as an alternative fuel.

The MT Nore - the fourth bunker tanker in Bunker One's Sweden fleet - will operate as a multi-fuel bunkering tanker, offering a 3,500-ton storage capacity that can be split between different products among its tank pairs.

Preparation

Describing the process involved in preparing the operation for methanol deliveries, Bunker One Sweden's Chief Operating Officer, Petter Jonason, noted: "We've been working for some time, getting the landside infrastructure in place, chartering the tanker, and getting the licenses from the maritime authorities."

Ultimately, though, given the firm's experience, Jonason says "it all still feels like something that we've tried before. We are experts when it comes to supplying the maritime industry, which is no different whether it is conventional fuel or alternative products."

Build it and they will come

Despite the fact that many shipping companies are still only in the planning phase of investing in new ships with alternative fuels, Bunker One believes its decision to provide key supply infrastructure now will assist buyers in the decision-making process and help incentivize the move to lower-carbon solutions.

Peter Zachariassen, Bunker One's CEO, stated: "Gothenburg, Skaw and the entire Scandinavian region is one of our most important bunkering hubs with significant vessel traffic passing through the area, so to start building the infrastructure and have it in place is going to send a strong signal to our customers that if they bet on building ships powered by carbon emissions reducing products, we will be ready to supply them."

Zachariassen added: "Purchasing new fleets with alternative fuel as propulsion is a daring investment to ship owners, but we firmly believe that if we build the infrastructure, they will have one less thing to hold them back. New ships and alternative fuels will be necessary for the long run in the green transition. So, for now, we believe in taking leadership and becoming ready to transition towards carbon-reduced products. That is the only way change is coming around."