Busan Port – South Korea has achieved a major milestone in its push for sustainable maritime practices by completing the country’s first-ever simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) for ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at Busan New Port on October 4th. This breakthrough highlights South Korea’s commitment to advancing its green fuel supply chain and bolstering the appeal of its ports for eco-friendly shipping solutions.
Key Milestones:
- South Korea’s inaugural SIMOPs methanol bunkering operation
- 11-hour bunkering process supplying approximately 3,000 tons of methanol
- Conducted at New Port Terminal 2 (PNC) during cargo handling
- Follows successful LNG bunkering SIMOPs at Busan New Port in August
Busan Port’s Strategic Role in Bunkering
Busan Port, South Korea’s largest and busiest maritime hub, handled over 22 million TEUs in 2023, solidifying its position as the world’s 7th largest container port. As a critical gateway for Northeast Asia, Busan Port has emerged as a leading bunkering location, catering to diverse fueling needs including very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), marine gas oil (MGO), LNG, and now methanol. In 2023 alone, the port supplied approximately 4 million tons of bunker fuel, with an increasing focus on expanding its capacity for alternative and eco-friendly fuels to meet rising global demand for green shipping solutions.
A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Growth
Led by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), this initiative forms part of South Korea’s broader strategy to establish a comprehensive eco-friendly ship fuel supply network, unveiled in November 2023. The ministry’s efforts include securing bunkering vessels, enhancing port infrastructure, and implementing standardized bunkering procedures to ensure safe, efficient operations.
Busan Port Authority (BPA) played a key role in facilitating the project, providing exemptions on port facility usage fees and working closely with various agencies to review and implement rigorous safety protocols. This coordinated effort was supported by an inter-agency consultative body, ensuring seamless execution of the demonstration.
Korean Register (KR) was instrumental in delivering technical support, developing critical safety systems for methanol bunkering. Their contributions encompassed establishing standard operating procedures, defining safety management zones, and formulating guidelines for comprehensive safety plans, ensuring the secure transfer of methanol fuel.
Enhancing Busan’s Competitiveness in Green Shipping
The success of this methanol SIMOPs operation is a significant step towards enhancing the competitiveness of South Korean ports in the global market for green shipping. SIMOPs, which allow for the simultaneous execution of cargo operations and fuel bunkering, offer a highly efficient solution that reduces turnaround times and minimizes costs for shipping companies focused on sustainability.
KANG Joonsuk, CEO & President of Busan Port Authority, remarked “This successful demonstration is a monumental step forward, showcasing Busan Port’s capability to provide methanol bunkering services. We are committed to further developing our infrastructure and technological capabilities to position Busan as a premier green port on the global stage.”
LEE Hyungchul, Chairman & CEO of Korean Register, commented “With the maritime industry moving towards greener alternatives, South Korea aims to lead the charge in sustainable shipping. KR remains dedicated to providing full technical support to ensure the continued success of green fuel bunkering operations.”
Operation at a Glance
- Location: Busan New Port, Terminal 2 (PNC)
- Bunkering Supplier / Vessel: Hyodong Shipping Co., Ltd., 103 Hyodong Chemi (IMO 9267986, Oil/Chemical Tanker)
- Receiving Vessel: Maersk Line A/S, ANTONIA MAERSK (IMO 9948762, Dual-fuel methanol vessel)
- Volume Supplied: Approximately 3,000 tons of methanol
- Operation Duration: 11 hours
This landmark operation sets a new precedent for methanol bunkering in South Korea and highlights Busan New Port’s readiness to support the maritime industry’s transition to cleaner fuels. As global demand for green shipping solutions grows, this achievement underscores South Korea’s strategic efforts to solidify its position as a leader in sustainable port services.
Source Korean Register