Smaller ship owners are encountering significant hurdles in procuring methanol as a marine fuel, with commercial complexities overshadowing the technical aspects of adoption, according to Stream Marine Technical.

The alternative fuels division of Stream Marine Group claims that while methanol has been traded as a chemical for over a century and transported safely by ship for decades, its use as a marine fuel presents different challenges, particularly around green and blue methanol procurement.

Dr. Sam Sarkar, Senior Advisor-Commercial at Stream Marine Technical, said the industry faces a fundamental shift in supply chain dynamics.

"In the past, the bunker industry has relied on the refining sector to supply conventional fuels. With net zero/low carbon methanol, shipowners must instead engage with a completely different set of producers, using very different production methods, cost structures, and supply dynamics," Sarkar noted.

The company highlighted that this transition has created what it describes as a "cultural and cross-sectoral communications gap" between producers and the maritime sector that must be addressed for methanol adoption at scale.

Sarkar added that green alternatives are not commodities that can simply be switched on for fuel supply solutions, making coordination particularly difficult for smaller operators.

"For smaller shipowners, coordinating with multiple diverse raw material-based producers is virtually impossible. Combined with varied cost structures impacting pricing, the procurement landscape is becoming increasingly complex," he said.

The comments come amid growing pressure on the shipping industry to reduce emissions and increasing uptake of methanol-ready and methanol-capable vessels. Operators now face practical questions around sourcing, contract structuring, bunkering, safety protocols, and crew training integration.

To address these challenges, Stream Marine Technical will host a webinar titled "Methanol Procurement for the Maritime Industry: From Strategy to Supply" on October 1 at 16:00 GMT.

The panel will include Juergen Puetter, CEO of Renewable Hydrogen Canada Corporation; Didier De Beaumont, Commercial Manager, Energy Cluster, Port of Amsterdam; and Dr. Sarkar, with Sean Moloney, CEO of Elaborate Communications, serving as moderator.

Martin White, CEO of Stream Marine Group, said: "Maritime decarbonisation isn't just about technology, it's about people, processes, and partnerships. Understanding the commercial realities of methanol procurement is crucial for shipowners and operators to make safe, reliable, and cost-effective fuel choices."

Stream Marine Group comprises three divisions: Stream Marine Training, Stream Marine Technical, and Stream Marine Careers, providing training and consultancy services to the maritime sector including oil and gas, renewable energy, offshore construction, and cruise operations.