April 3, 2025 -- Significant progress has been made in the green methanol bunkering sector for methanol produced on the Chinese mainland. Recently, 2,902.5 tonnes of green methanol manufactured by Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) in Inner Mongolia were successfully bunkered onto the Korean vessel “HMM Green” using the bunkering vessel “Haigang Zhiyuan”, owned by SIPG Energy , at the Shanghai Yangshan Phase IV Automated Terminal. This operation was carried out in a synchronous bunkering operation (i.e., container loading/unloading and methanol bunkering at the same time). This marks the first large-scale bunkering operation for green methanol produced on the Chinese mainland and is currently the largest green methanol bunkering project in Asia.
The green methanol used in this operation was produced by Towngas at its facility in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, and transported to Shanghai via a combination of land and sea routes. This methanol is made from biomass and municipal waste, meeting ISCC EU certification standards, with a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction of up to 70% across its entire lifecycle. This showcases Towngas’s technological capabilities and leadership in the green energy sector. The bunkering operation also underscores the close collaboration between Towngas and Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) , marking the successful implementation of a comprehensive industrial chain supply service for green methanol manufactured on the Chinese mainland at the Port of Shanghai.
In line with the global “dual carbon” goals, the latest Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships targets reductions of at least 20% by 2030 and at least 70% by 2040, relative to 2008 levels. As a result, green methanol is considered a preferred choice for the shipping industry to reduce GHG emissions, whether from safety, technological maturity, or scalability perspectives.
Towngas has extensive experience in investing in and operating green methanol projects, leveraging its proprietary technology to transform biomass and municipal waste into green methanol. Since 2022, it has secured ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS international certifications for three consecutive years, becoming the first mainland enterprise to obtain these certifications for green methanol production. By 2025, Towngas plans to reach an annual production capacity of 150,000 tonnes.
As Towngas looks to the future, it will continue to forge partnerships with diverse stakeholders to advance the development and production of green methanol. This collaborative effort aims to accelerate the widespread adoption and application of green energy, fostering a sustainable green shipping ecosystem that supports the long-term sustainability of the global shipping industry.
Questions around this news
What took place in the green methanol bunkering operation in Shanghai?
Towngas-produced green methanol was transferred to the Korean vessel HMM Green at Shanghai Yangshan Phase IV Automated Terminal. The operation used the bunkering vessel Haigang Zhiyuan and took place while containers were being loaded or unloaded. The release describes it as the first large-scale bunkering of mainland-produced green methanol and the largest such project in Asia at the time.
How does Towngas produce the green methanol described in the release?
The methanol was made at Towngas’s facility in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, using biomass and municipal waste. It was transported to Shanghai by a combination of land and sea routes. The release says the fuel meets ISCC EU certification standards and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% across its lifecycle.
What does synchronous bunkering mean?
Synchronous bunkering is the transfer of fuel to a vessel at the same time as another port operation, such as loading or unloading cargo. Coordinating these activities can let a ship complete fueling alongside cargo work, rather than carrying them out as separate operations. The specific procedures depend on the port, vessel and fuel involved.
What is ISCC EU certification?
ISCC EU is a sustainability certification system used to demonstrate that eligible fuels and other products meet requirements under European Union rules. Its assessment can cover matters such as the origin of feedstocks, supply-chain traceability and greenhouse gas emissions. Certification applies to particular operations and supply chains; it is not a general guarantee about every product from a company.
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Press photos:
Photo 1:
Green methanol produced by Towngas was recently bunkered onto the Korean cargo vessel “HMM Green” via a methanol bunkering vessel (green hull).
Photo 2:
Towngas’s methanol production plant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, employs proprietary technology to convert biomass and municipal waste into green methanol. It is the first enterprise on the Chinese mainland to achieve ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications for green methanol.
For media enquiries, please contact:
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
Ms Kara Kwong
Assistant Corporate Affairs Manager
Tel: 2963 3497 / 6698 3357
Email: [email protected]
Mr Julius Chow
Senior Corporate Affairs Officer
Tel: 2963 3471 / 6969 1360
Email: [email protected]
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At a glance
- Company
- Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas)
- Location
- Shanghai, China
Key figures
- Green methanol bunkered
- 2,902.5 tonnes
- Maximum stated lifecycle GHG reduction
- up to 70%
- Planned annual production capacity by 2025
- 150,000 tonnes
- Ship emissions reduction target by 2030
- at least 20%
- Ship emissions reduction target by 2040
- at least 70%
