Methanol's Role as a Marine Fuel: Challenges and Future Outlook
The Baltic Exchange discussed methanol's potential as a marine fuel, highlighting its ten-year track record and ease of handling compared to gaseous alternatives. Current low-GHG methanol availability is a bottleneck, with global production capacity at 2.2 million tonnes per year, but actual bunkering volumes are much lower.
Future capacity could reach 14 million tonnes by 2030, driven by projects in China. While infrastructure supports methanol use, economic challenges persist, with bio-methanol prices in 2025 estimated at three times those of marine gas oil.
E-methanol faces cost competitiveness issues, accounting for only 2% of green methanol production. The regulatory landscape includes the FuelEU Maritime initiative and the IMO's Net-Zero Framework, though recent delays have frustrated stakeholders. The transition to low-GHG methanol depends on economic incentives and regulatory clarity.
