OCI, Unibarge partner to develop dual-fueled green methanol bunker barge

OCI N.V. has partnered with Unibarge to develop Europe’s first dual-fueled methanol propelled bunker capable barge, which will be in service in the Port of Rotterdam. The Port of Rotterdam is the largest seaport in Europe with approximately 30,000 visiting seagoing vessels and 100,000 inland vessels per year.

The deployment of the retrofitted barge is significant milestone towards the sustainable transformation of the shipping industry, as it will be able to run on renewable and low carbon methanol fuel, as well as conventional biofuels.

Among its unique features, the barge will also enable OCI to offer a full end-to-end bunker solution with the ability to transport and deliver its OCI HyFuels green methanol to oceangoing vessels. This will reduce GHG emissions during bunker delivery, allowing shipping companies using low carbon fuels to include the “‘last mile” of the vessels’ journey in their footprint calculations. By consuming green methanol, the barge has the potential to reduce the amount of particulate matter emitted in inland waterways by 90%, improving air quality and offering a better environment for local marine life. The barge is expected to be deployed into inland waterways from the Port of Rotterdam in the second half of 2024.

The retrofit project will be managed by Unibarge, who have selected the technology and equipment partners. OCI will take the barge on a long-term time charter and employ it in its regular trade, as well as using it to offer a full end-to-end bunker solution to larger vessels, delivering OCI Hyfuels green methanol.

OCI and Unibarge’s dual-fueled green methanol bunker barge is being touted as a significant milestone towards the sustainable transformation of the shipping industry

This project comes at a vital time for the shipping sector. There is an urgent need to lower carbon intensity in the maritime industry, with shipping contributing to 3% of the global GHG emissions.