SINGAPORE, 12 August 2025 – In a decisive step towards maritime decarbonisation, Golden Island Pte Ltd, a leader in sustainable marine fuel solutions, has officially brought its methanol-capable bunker tanker Golden Antares to Singapore, carrying a full load of ISCC EU-certified green methanol.
The 7,999 DWT IMO Type 2 chemical tanker, owned and operated by Golden Island, arrived on 7 August 2025 and is now preparing for Mass Flow Meter (MFM) acceptance testing—a critical process under Singapore’s newly introduced Technical Reference for Methanol Bunkering (TR129).
“We are proud to be the first mover in pushing methanol as a marine fuel in Singapore,” stated Mr. Tomohiro Yamano, General Manager of Golden Island’s Marine Fuel Department.
This milestone places Golden Island at the forefront of Singapore’s effort to establish itself as a global hub for green methanol bunkering, an increasingly viable alternative fuel for achieving the IMO’s carbon reduction goals.
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From Tianjin to Singapore: A Certified Green Methanol Supply Chain
The journey began on 23 July 2025, when Golden Antares completed loading 5,000 metric tonnes of ISCC EU-certified green methanol at Tianjin Vopak’s storage terminal in China. The cargo was supplied by The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) and traded through Mitsubishi Corporation, who coordinated logistics and end-to-end delivery.
This delivery underscores the growing maturity of the green methanol supply chain across Asia. Towngas is the first enterprise on the Chinese mainland certified to produce both ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS green methanol, and Mitsubishi continues to expand its footprint as a key player in low-carbon marine fuels.
MFM Acceptance Testing and TR129 Compliance Underway
“Upon berthing in Singapore, Golden Antares immediately began port formalities and preparations for commissioning its mass flow meter, a pivotal component in enabling regulated and transparent methanol bunkering operations.” According to Mr. Yamano, “part of the green methanol cargo will be discharged to Stolthaven Terminal Singapore on 15 August 2025, while a retained volume will be used for MFM acceptance testing.“
This process will verify compliance with TR129, the technical framework launched in March 2025 by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore via the Singapore Standards Council. TR129 outlines the safety, handling, metering, and operational requirements for methanol bunkering, setting the benchmark for future low-carbon fuel regulation.
Golden Island has proactively equipped Golden Antares with advanced safety systems—including fixed gas detectors from Gastron and fixed thermal cameras from HIKvision—ensuring full operational compliance with TR129’s stringent requirements.
Training for the Future: Crew Readiness and Capability Building
Golden Island has also taken deliberate steps to upskill its crew in preparation for methanol operations. All personnel onboard Golden Antares have successfully completed the Basic and Advanced Training for Handling of Methanol as Fuel for Maritime Personnel, conducted by the Singapore Maritime Academy at Singapore Polytechnic. These courses were developed under the Maritime Energy Training Facility, an initiative established by MPA in 2024 to build a capable, future-ready workforce.
Methanol: A Key Player in the Transition to Low-Carbon Shipping
Golden Island began designing the Golden Antares in 2023, driven by a long-term vision to bring scalable methanol bunkering to Singapore waters. The company firmly believes that green methanol, due to its physical properties and carbon-neutral potential, is the most immediate and practical solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the short- to mid-term.
“Methanol is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, making it far easier to handle than gaseous fuels,” explained Mr. Yamano. “It’s also biodegradable and has a clear decarbonisation pathway through renewable production. Our goal is to help build a strong, resilient green methanol ecosystem here in Singapore—one that supports global trade and the maritime transition.”
Partners Reflect on Strategic Milestone
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas)
Towngas is the first enterprise on the Chinese mainland to produce ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS-certified green methanol. “The successful delivery to Golden Island demonstrates Towngas’s capability to meet the commitments with precision and reliability. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of Towngas’s strategic investment in green methanol production. Towngas recognises the growing momentum of the green methanol market across the region and remains dedicated to developing low-carbon solutions that support the shipping industry’s decarbonisation objectives.”
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Corporation is the principal partner of Golden Island in Singapore, acting as a conventional and low-carbon methanol supplier, logistic service provider and coordinator of the supply chain. Mitsubishi views this transaction and partnership as an important step in its methanol initiative to support the global decarbonization of the maritime sector. “This project is a cornerstone in our methanol strategy for Asia, By enabling real-world application of green methanol through partnerships like this, we help drive the broader shift to sustainable maritime energy.”
Stolthaven Terminals
“Receiving this parcel of green methanol into Stolthaven Singapore through the Golden Antares marks a significant milestone in our efforts to support the decarbonisation of marine fuels. As a global storage provider and key logistics partner, we are proud to provide the infrastructure and operational capabilities necessary to handle green methanol safely and efficiently. This delivery not only demonstrates our readiness to support growing demand, but also reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the future of sustainable shipping in Singapore and beyond,” expressed Guy Bessant, President of Stolthaven Terminals.”
Industry Implications
The successful voyage, delivery, and forthcoming MFM validation of Golden Antares mark a turning point for methanol bunkering in Singapore and the region. With regulation, infrastructure, training, and supply chains now in motion, Singapore is positioning itself as a world-leading green methanol bunkering hub—and Golden Island is leading the charge.
This development signals more than a single delivery—it showcases the growing maturity of methanol as a viable marine fuel, with robust safety protocols, trained personnel, and full supply chain certification.
About Golden Island
Founded in 1982, Golden Island has long been a trusted name in the bunkering industry, known for its commitment to quality and innovation. The company was the first supplier in Singapore to offer Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (LSFO 0.5%) in 2019 and is now expanding its services to include green methanol as part of its efforts to provide cleaner, more sustainable fuel options. The company is also ISCC EU Certified, underscoring its dedication to sustainability and its role in the global shift toward low-carbon fuels.
Source Golden Island Pte Ltd