Exolum, Methanex Corporation and Ørsted have launched the United Kingdom’s first commercially ready biomethanol storage and supply service for shipping at the Port of Immingham, the country’s largest port by cargo volume. The initiative marks a major step toward decarbonizing one of the world’s hardest-to-abate sectors.

 

The service will provide marine bunkering for biomethanol, a leading green fuel for shipping. Exolum will supply storage and fueling infrastructure at Immingham, Methanex will provide the biomethanol, and Ørsted will be the first user, fueling its North Sea offshore wind farm maintenance vessels in support of the U.K.’s clean energy goals.

 

The launch comes as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently postponed its vote on implementing the Net Zero Framework, a policy critical to cutting shipping emissions. Despite the delay, the three companies are moving ahead with action.

 

Stephen Land, North-West Europe Chief Executive at 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 decarbonize.”

 

Mika Bärlund, Lead Category Manager at Ørsted, added: “Ørsted is pleased to be the first to fuel its service-operation vessels with biomethanol 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 decarbonization of the maritime sector. Finally, it is a step towards our vision of creating a world that runs entirely on green energy.”

 

Stuart McCall, Vice President, Low Carbon Global Market Development at Methanex, said: “Methanex is proud to supply the biomethanol 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.”

 

Steven Clapperton, Head of Marine (Humber) at Associated British Ports, owner of the Port of Immingham, said: “This initiative marks a significant milestone for the Port of Immingham and the wider maritime sector. By enabling biomethanol bunkering, we are taking practical steps toward decarbonizing 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 UK’s clean energy ambitions and positions our ports at the forefront of sustainable shipping.”

 

Domestic shipping in the U.K. produces 4.7% of transport-related CO₂ emissions—more than buses, trains, and domestic aviation combined. The biomethanol supplied to Ørsted is ISCC-certified and produced in Methanex’s Gulf Coast facilities from waste feedstocks, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared with conventional marine fuels.

 

The project demonstrates how existing energy infrastructure can adapt to new sustainable fuels and represents a tangible step toward the U.K.’s target of reducing shipping emissions 30% by 2030 and 80% by 2040, with a long-term goal of net-zero by 2050.