Exolum, Methanex, and Ørsted have commissioned the UK’s first commercial bio-methanol bunkering hub at the Port of Immingham. The project signals accelerating fuel-transition momentum despite ongoing IMO and regulatory uncertainty.
Immingham, UK | February 10, 2026 – In a move that fundamentally shifts the UK’s bunkering landscape, Exolum, Methanex Corporation, and Ørsted have officially commissioned the nation’s first commercially operational bio-methanol storage and supply service. Located at the Port of Immingham, the project arrives as a direct industry response to the “hard-to-abate” sector’s growing demand for immediate, scalable decarbonization solutions.
While much of the global shipping industry is currently mired in a “regulatory limbo” following the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) recent decision to defer its Net-Zero Framework vote until October 2026, this partnership demonstrates that the commercial sector is no longer waiting for a global consensus to begin the transition.
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Strategic Hub: Why Immingham?
The choice of the Port of Immingham, operated by Associated British Ports (ABP), is highly intentional. As the UK’s largest port by cargo volume, handling roughly 50 million tonnes annually, it serves as a critical artery for the nation’s energy security. By embedding bio-methanol infrastructure here, the partners are positioning the Humber estuary as a “super-hub” for the next generation of marine fuels.
Exolum has repurposed its strategic assets at the port to accommodate the specific handling requirements of bio-methanol. The company’s logistics network, which spans 10 countries, now includes specialized storage that bridges the gap between bulk chemical production and “ship-to-ship” or “truck-to-ship” bunkering.
The Fuel: Deciphering the “Bio” Advantage
The bio-methanol being supplied for this project is not a theoretical lab product; it is ISCC-certified and produced at Methanex’s U.S. Gulf Coast facilities.
| Metric | Bio-Methanol Performance |
| GHG Reduction | Up to 80% vs. conventional HFO (Well-to-Wake) |
| SOx Emissions | Reduced by ~99% |
| NOx Emissions | Reduced by ~60% |
| Feedstock | Organic municipal solid waste and residues |
Unlike “Grey” methanol (derived from natural gas), this bio-methanol utilizes a mass-balance approach to ensure that waste-derived energy is directly credited to the maritime off-taker. For shipowners, this is a critical distinction for compliance with the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), which is expanding to include maritime emissions for vessels over 5,000 GT starting in 2026.
The Anchor Customer: Ørsted’s Green Fleet
The first beneficiary of this new service is renewable energy titan Ørsted. The company will utilize the bunkering service for its fleet of Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) supporting North Sea offshore wind farms like Hornsea 2.
These vessels represent the pinnacle of specialized maritime engineering. Ørsted has already commissioned dual-fuel SOVs, built by Esvagt, capable of running on e-methanol or bio-methanol. By fueling these maintenance vessels with the very product they help create (renewable energy), Ørsted is effectively closing the loop on its circular “green energy world” vision.
The Regulatory Context: IMO Delay vs. Regional Momentum
The project’s launch comes against a backdrop of geopolitical and regulatory tension.
- The IMO Delay: The postponement of the Net-Zero Framework (NZF) adoption until 2026 has caused a split in the industry. While some operators are slowing investment, the “Early Movers” in this project are banking on regional regulations like FuelEU Maritime and the UK ETS to drive the premium for green fuels.
- The UK’s Domestic Challenge: Domestic shipping in the UK currently accounts for 4.7% of all transport-related CO2. To put that in perspective, that is more than all the nation’s buses and trains combined. This bunkering service is the first “industrial-scale” attempt to tackle that specific segment.
Strategic Perspectives: Leadership on the Decarbonization Frontline
The launch of the UK’s inaugural commercial bio-methanol service at Immingham is backed by a coalition of industry leaders. Below are the definitive statements from the executives driving this transition.
The Logistics Architecture: Exolum
Stephen Land, North-West Europe Chief Executive, Exolum said “This is a groundbreaking project for Exolum as it exemplifies how our energy logistics can help deliver our customers’ green transition. It demonstrates how the strategic location of our infrastructure and our extensive experience in the transport and storage of various products can help transform one of the most difficult sectors of today’s economy to decarbonise. We are leveraging our strategic assets to ensure that the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives is not just a vision, but a scalable reality for the maritime industry.”
The Offtake and Operational Vision: Ørsted
Mika Bärlund, Lead Category Manager, Ørsted said “Ørsted is pleased to be the first to fuel its service-operation vessels with bio-methanol as part of this partnership. This project aligns with our commitment not only to create opportunities for local suppliers but also to help develop leading-edge technologies, in particular technologies which help us in our goal to deliver more sustainable operations and assist with the broader decarbonisation of the maritime sector. Finally, it is a step towards our vision of creating a world that runs entirely on green energy.”
The Global Supply Chain: Methanex Corporation
Stuart McCall, Vice President, Low Carbon Global Market Development, Methanex said “Methanex is proud to supply the bio-methanol for this milestone initiative. As the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol, we are committed to developing and supporting innovative solutions that accelerate the transition to low-carbon shipping. By providing a reliable, certified supply of bio-methanol, we are giving the industry the confidence it needs to invest in methanol-capable fleets and move away from carbon-intensive fuels.“
The Gateway Authority: Associated British Ports (ABP)
Steven Clapperton, Head of Marine (Humber), Associated British Ports said “This initiative marks a significant milestone for the Port of Immingham and the wider maritime sector. By enabling bio-methanol bunkering, we are taking practical steps toward decarbonising one of the hardest-to-abate industries.“
“Associated British Ports is proud to support partners like Exolum, Ørsted, and Methanex in driving innovation that aligns with the U.K.’s clean energy ambitions and positions our ports at the forefront of sustainable shipping. Immingham remains a critical link in the global energy supply chain, and this service ensures it remains relevant in a net-zero future.”
Industry Impact & Next Steps
The Immingham launch is expected to trigger a “domino effect” across other UK East Coast ports. As the price of carbon allowances in the UK ETS fluctuates, the 80% GHG reduction offered by Methanex’s bio-methanol becomes an increasingly powerful financial hedge for operators.
About Methanex Corporation
Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Methanex is the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to global markets. As a dual-listed public entity, Methanex shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MX) and the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: MEOH). The company is a primary architect of the global methanol economy, driving innovation in low-carbon applications for the maritime and industrial sectors.
About Ørsted
Ørsted is a global leader in renewable energy, driven by the vision of a world that runs entirely on green power. The company is a pioneer in the development, construction, and operation of offshore and onshore wind farms, solar arrays, energy storage facilities, and bioenergy plants.
Ørsted was the first energy company globally to have its science-based net-zero emissions target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and consistently earns a place on the CDP Climate Change A List. Headquartered in Denmark and employing approximately 8,300 professionals, Ørsted reported 2024 revenues of DKK 71.0 billion (EUR 9.5 billion). The company is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted).
About Exolum
Exolum is Europe’s preeminent energy logistics provider, maintaining a critical footprint across 10 international markets. In the United Kingdom, the company serves as the backbone of energy distribution, owning and operating a strategic network of 10 specialized terminals for fuel, biofuels, and chemical storage at major maritime gateways. Furthermore, Exolum manages a 2,000km integrated pipeline network, a vital piece of national infrastructure that currently supplies aviation fuel for more than 40% of all flights departing the United Kingdom.
Source: Exolum