On March 2-3, at the Qianwan Port Area of Shandong Port Qingdao in China, the methanol bunkering vessel "Jianhang Lida," jointly retrofitted by Intercontinental Ship Management and Qingdao Port, successfully completed "ship-to-ship" green methanol bunkering operations for two internationally navigating vessels, "COSCO SHIPPING Gemini" and "Chang Ming," under the supervision of maritime patrol boats. The total bunkering volume exceeded 2,500 tons. With the support of Qingdao Maritime Safety Administration and Qingdao Ark Intelligence, this operation successfully completed its first support mission, becoming the second bunkering business in China with a single methanol bunkering volume exceeding 2,000 tons. This operation adopted the "one vessel, multiple supplies" model for the first time, marking the formal establishment of the complete green methanol chain of "Shandong manufacturing - Shandong transportation/storage - Shandong Port bunkering" by Shandong Port.
More notably, this operation was the nation's first to conduct green methanol bunkering using the "one vessel, multiple supplies" model. It marks the official establishment of the complete green methanol chain of "Shandong manufacturing - Shandong transportation/storage - Shandong Port bunkering" by Shandong Port, making it the first port in Northern China to achieve full-chain marine green methanol bunkering services and filling the gap in the field of green methanol bunkering for internationally navigating vessels at Shandong Port.
The "Jianhang Lida" is a self-owned vessel of Xiamen New Yonglian Shipping Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Intercontinental Ship Management. It is a domestic and international trading stainless steel chemical tanker holding inter-provincial capacity indicators in China, with a deadweight of 5,490 tons and a tank capacity of 6,600 m³. In this green methanol bunkering task, the "Jianhang Lida" organized and executed the operation with high standards and stringent requirements, providing a replicable and scalable practical model for the large-scale operation of green fuel bunkering business.
Looking ahead, Intercontinental Ship Management will further improve its layout for new energy vessel services and clean fuel bunkering business, deepen synergistic cooperation with ports, shipping, and energy partners, continuously enhance the comprehensive service level of green fuel transportation, storage, supply, and bunkering, and contribute to global shipping's green emission reduction and the sustainable development of the industry.
Currently, the global maritime decarbonization process is accelerating, and green transformation has become the inevitable path for the development of the shipping industry. Since the International Maritime Organization (IMO) established global maritime decarbonization goals, the exploration path for the shipping industry has become increasingly clear: replacing traditional fossil fuels with clean fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and alcohols, as well as electrification, supplemented by economic measures like carbon trading and carbon taxes, driving the shipping industry towards a low-carbon future from multiple dimensions.
The smooth implementation of this bunkering operation was inseparable from the strong support of various competent authorities. During the preparatory phase, the Qingdao Free Trade Zone took the lead in overall planning and proactive coordination, providing strong policy support and efficient service guarantees for the implementation of the bunkering business. The Qingdao Maritime Safety Administration strictly guided the methanol bunkering risk assessment in accordance with regulations, assisted in strengthening safety inspections and management improvements for the bunkering vessel, and built a solid safety line throughout the operation. Qingdao Customs implemented precise measures, tailored a special supervision plan, deepened facilitation measures such as "one vessel, multiple supplies," comprehensively accelerated inspection efficiency, and fully ensured the safe, efficient, and smooth conduct of the business. The Municipal Transportation Bureau strengthened industry guidance, optimized approval procedures, and provided convenient conditions for the bunkering operation. The Huangdao Border Inspection Station provided on-site guidance, optimized the procedures for vessel berthing, and ensured the smooth berthing of the bunkering vessel. Tax authorities took proactive actions, streamlined the green methanol tax refund process, and provided comprehensive support for business cost control. Under the unified arrangement of the group, Shandong Port Qingdao Port Tugboat Company organized two tugboats to escort the methanol bunkering vessel throughout the process, ensuring the smooth implementation of the "ship-to-ship" green methanol bunkering operation.
Looking to the future, Intercontinental Ship Management stated that it will further improve its layout for new energy vessel services and clean fuel bunkering business. The implementation of the "ship-to-ship" green methanol bunkering business and the innovative application of the "one vessel, multiple supplies" model not only establish a green energy supply guarantee system for Shandong Port based in Shandong and radiating to Northeast Asia but also contribute a replicable practical solution to global shipping's green emission reduction.
