MB Energy completes 25 m³ methanol bunkering trial for TUI Cruises at Port of Kiel

en.Wedoany.com Reported - MB Energy has completed a methanol bunkering trial for TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 7 at the Ostseekai Cruise Terminal in the Port of Kiel. This operation marks a practical operational milestone for the two companies in the field of low-carbon marine fuels, and also reflects MB Energy's strategic positioning in driving the shipping industry toward a more sustainable transition.

The bunkering operation supplied approximately 25 cubic meters of methanol to the vessel, with the fuel derived from renewable feedstocks and intended primarily for use in the ship's boilers. Logistics provider Johs. Martens, commissioned by MB Energy, transported the methanol to the terminal by truck and completed the actual delivery to the vessel. The truck used for the transport was fueled with HVO 100, a fuel type that offers a more promising alternative compared to conventional diesel.

With multiple operations running simultaneously at the terminal, MB Energy and TUI Cruises safely and reliably supplied methanol to a large cruise ship carrying approximately 2,900 passengers, validating the system-level feasibility and operational reliability of this bunkering model. The completion of this proof of concept has generated practical operational experience for the evaluation of similar projects in the future.

Jonathan Perkins, CEO of MB Energy, stated that this operation demonstrates that low-carbon fuels such as methanol derived from renewable feedstocks can already be safely and reliably integrated into cruise operations. He emphasized that the collaboration with TUI Cruises and logistics partner Johs. Martens shows that the infrastructure and expertise required to support low-carbon shipping are already in place. The bunkering operation at the Port of Kiel showcases MB Energy's ability to deliver end-to-end customized fuel solutions for its customers, covering procurement, storage, transportation, and final terminal delivery, while also reflecting the company's growing methanol handling capabilities for key customers in Northern Europe.

MB Energy is currently advancing the expansion of its storage infrastructure at Hamburg-Blumensand, with the goal of achieving "methanol readiness" to prepare for the large-scale supply of low-carbon ammonia and methanol to maritime customers in the future. Hamburg and Kiel will serve as the company's two major operational hubs in northern Germany, providing support for the expansion of its fuel supply business to other European ports.

Perkins added that combining owned storage infrastructure with integrated logistics enables the company to provide customers with a reliable and uninterrupted methanol supply. He stated that the first bunkering operation with Mein Schiff 7 sends a clear signal that collaboration among shipowners, ports, and energy suppliers can effectively drive the practical adoption of low-carbon fuels.