A partnership of six firms have signed an agreement to conduct feasibility studies for a minimum 50,000 t/yr green e-methanol pilot plant in Singapore.
Thai natural gas transmission firm PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), industrial gases company Air Liquide, Singapore electricity generator YTL PowerSeraya, tank terminals logistics provider Oiltanking, marine fuels supplier Kenoil Marine Services and shipping firm Maersk agreed on 6 April to establish the plant, which is southeast Asia's first green e-methanol project. It will be set up once feasibility studies on technical and economic aspects are completed by the end of 2022.
The pilot plant aims to produce green methanol for use as a renewable bunker fuel, by converting captured CO2 and green hydrogen produced from renewable electricity.
Singapore serves as an ideal location as it is one of the world's premier maritime bunkering hubs, the companies said. Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said it welcomed the partnership, which aligns with its aim to become a global hub for decarbonisation research and development.
The MPA in March launched a blueprint for decarbonising Singapore's maritime sector, including plans to supply methanol and other low-carbon marine fuels at the port. The authority is also funding a Singapore-based Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation for knowledge and data-sharing to accelerate emissions reductions in the sector.
Maersk has also formed partnerships with other companies — including Hong Kong-based CIMC Enric and the Chinese Green Technology Bank — to boost global capacity of green methanol, and source at least 730,000 t/yr of the fuel by the end of 2025.
