Shanghai Sets Global Benchmark With 8,000-Tonne Green Methanol Refueling
A CMA CGM container ship refueled with 8,000 tonnes of green methanol in Shanghai, setting a new single-operation global record.
The Port of Shanghai has achieved a new global milestone in sustainable shipping fuel, completing a single bunkering operation of 8,000 tonnes of green methanol. The fuel was supplied to a container vessel operated by French shipping major CMA CGM, marking the largest such refueling event on record.
The methanol used in the operation was produced domestically, underscoring the maturity of China's green fuel supply chain. The process now spans large-scale production, cross-regional logistics, and integration with international shipping operations, demonstrating how renewable energy can be channeled into marine transport at scale.
Shanghai Electric, a key player in the green energy sector, is central to this development. Ni Jianjun, General Manager of Shanghai Lvchuang Era Technology Co., a subsidiary of Shanghai Electric, noted that the company's approach couples fluctuating green power output with stable chemical production. He added that the 200,000 tonnes of methanol capacity will primarily help secure future fuel supplies for Shanghai.
Beyond maritime applications, the green fuel sector is expanding into aviation, indicating a broader transition toward low-carbon energy sources across multiple transport industries. The record bunkering event highlights the port's growing role as a hub for alternative fuels and China's increasing capability in producing and deploying them.