Titan Clean Fuels has signed an off-take agreement with green energy supplier TURN2X to deliver e-methane to the maritime industry from 2028 onwards, the companies announced on 30 March.

Titan operates seven bunker vessels and says it is currently able to deliver in around 52 ports, with new e-methane agreement set to help to significantly scale up green fuel supply.

TURN2X's modular production plant in Miajadas, Spain, converts renewable energy and biogenic CO₂ into ISCC-certified e-methane. The green fuel is then fed into the grid and transported to European ports, where Titan bunkers it to ship operators.

E-methane can achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions on a well-to-wake basis, with exact reductions depending on the equipment and engine technology used. It also offers up to a 95% reduction of nitrogen oxides and achieves virtually zero sulphur oxides and particulate matter emissions, such as black carbon.

These emissions reductions mean ships using e-methane will be eligible for FuelEU Maritime overcompliance and the commercial benefits of banking and pooling, the companies said. Shipping firms with a compliance surplus or deficit can join Titan's FuelEU pool.

TURN2X's e-methane is also a certified renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO). When calculating FuelEU performance, shipping companies are able to essentially double-count the impact of RFNBO from 2025 to 2033. If RFNBO still makes up less than 1% of reported maritime energy use by 2031, ships may also be mandated to use a minimum of 2% RFNBO from 2034.

The deal comes as the EU is committed to phasing out Russian LNG, ending short-term contracts from 25 April this year and all long-term contracts from 1 January 2027.

Phillip Kessler, CEO of TURN2X, commented: "We are happy to partner with Titan and Molgas, leaders in clean marine fuels, to decarbonise the shipping industry with e-methane, the fuel of choice for more and more companies in the maritime sector."

Caspar Gooren, commercial director of renewable fuels at Titan, said: "TURN2X are true green fuel pioneers and we are excited by the significant potential of this partnership. Its team's approach to e-methane supply is scalable: the green fuel can be produced in regions with high volumes of low-cost renewable electricity like Spain, injected into the existing gas grid, and delivered in ports where maritime off-takers need it."

Gooren added: "The methane pathway — via LNG, liquefied biomethane (LBM/bio-LNG) and e-methane — allows shipowners to decarbonise step-by-step while protecting their existing investments. By using established infrastructure, this route also offers the lowest total cost of compliance along the way. Looking at the destination, all e-fuels have similar production processes, so the price will mainly be led by the availability, costs and scalability of supply-side infrastructure — where methane has a clear head start."

E-methane can be used in existing LNG infrastructure with little to no modification required, including bunkering equipment, terminals and LNG dual-fuel vessels. This means e-methane is supported by LNG bunkering infrastructure in approximately 222 ports worldwide and can be used in the around 850 LNG-fuelled vessels currently in operation and the further 642 on order, according to the two collaborating firms.

E-methane also has around 1.6 times the energy density of methanol and twice the energy density of ammonia. A fuel with a lower energy density means either larger fuel tanks are required, leaving less space for revenue-generating cargo, or more frequent bunkering operations are needed.