Xiamen, a major port city in China's Fujian Province, has introduced a dedicated safety framework for ship-to-ship methanol bunkering as the facility prepares for wider adoption of the alternative marine fuel.

The Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration, Xiamen Port Authority, and Xiamen Free Trade Zone Commission jointly released the new guidelines, according to a statement issued by a Fujian provincial authority on Tuesday. The framework represents the first safety standard in Fujian Province specifically focused on methanol fuel bunkering for ships.

The guidelines establish comprehensive requirements covering the full bunkering process. These include the qualifications and certification of fuel suppliers, standards for bunkering vessel equipment, mandatory hose inspections, personnel certification, and the use of appropriate protective equipment.

Before any bunkering operation may commence, operators are required to complete a dedicated safety assessment and prepare a detailed emergency response plan. During the fuel transfer itself, continuous monitoring is mandated, and all operations remain subject to weather conditions. Following completion of the transfer, fuel pipelines must be properly purged and inerted.

Methanol's low flash point of approximately 11°C, significantly lower than that of conventional heavy fuel oil, creates distinct safety considerations during storage, handling, and transfer — making structured operational protocols essential for any port undertaking bunkering of the fuel.

Xiamen Port has previously conducted ship-to-ship bunkering operations involving both biofuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG), giving the port operational experience with alternative marine fuels. The newly issued guidelines provide a formal regulatory and operational framework to govern the port's future methanol bunkering activities. Other major bunkering hubs, including Singapore and Rotterdam, have also been developing methanol bunkering procedures as the fuel gains traction.

Methanol has attracted growing interest as a marine fuel alternative as the global shipping industry seeks to reduce emissions in line with the International Maritime Organization's greenhouse gas reduction strategy, which targets net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. Methanol can be produced from renewable feedstocks and, when used in dual-fuel engines, offers ship operators a pathway to lower carbon intensity in vessel operations. Several major carriers, including Maersk, have ordered methanol dual-fuel vessels, contributing to demand for bunkering infrastructure at ports worldwide.

Source: Ship & Bunker