Hapag-Lloyd Completes First Biomethanol Bunkering Operation in Shanghai

Hapag-Lloyd has completed its first biomethanol bunkering operation, taking on 3,000 tonnes of biomethanol aboard the 10,000-TEU containership Seaspan Amazon in Shanghai, according to fuel supplier SIPG Energy.

The bunkering operation was conducted by SIPG Energy’s bunker vessel Haigang Zhiyuan between August 31 and September 1, 2026. The operation took place at Shanghai COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry’s Changxing Island shipyard, where Seaspan Amazon was undergoing conversion to methanol dual-fuel propulsion.

Seaspan Amazon Completes Methanol Conversion

Seaspan Amazon is the second vessel in a series of 10,000-TEU containerships to undergo the conversion. The work involved the installation of methanol storage tanks and fuel supply systems, along with modifications to the vessel’s main engine.

The ship’s engine control systems, remote-control systems and onboard automation were also upgraded as part of the project. Following the installation work, the shipyard carried out integrated testing and commissioning of the converted systems.

With the conversion completed, the vessel can operate using methanol as well as conventional marine fuel. The dual-fuel configuration gives the vessel the ability to use sustainably produced methanol as a lower-greenhouse-gas-emission fuel option.

Hapag-Lloyd Expands Methanol Fleet Programme

The biomethanol bunkering forms part of Hapag-Lloyd’s broader fleet decarbonisation programme. The German container shipping company plans to convert five large containerships to methanol propulsion during 2026–2027.

In addition to the conversions, Hapag-Lloyd has ordered eight new containerships equipped with methanol dual-fuel propulsion.

Under its Strategy 2030, Hapag-Lloyd has set a target of reducing its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by around one-third by 2030. The company is targeting net-zero fleet operations by 2045.