As the shipping industry moves towards cleaner solutions, the Port of Klaipėda is preparing for changing market needs. Stricter environmental requirements and the growing market for alternative fuels mean that ports need to start planning now for the infrastructure and services that will be needed in the future. Together with its partners, the Klaipėda Port Authority has assessed the potential for green methanol bunkering and developed a concept for a vessel that could provide this service.
“The energy transition is changing the maritime sector and creating demand for cleaner solutions. As the alternative fuels market develops, ports will also need to adapt their infrastructure and services. We are preparing now so that, as green shipping corridors develop across the Baltic Sea, the Port of Klaipėda will be ready to meet market needs and remain competitive. Green methanol bunkering has real potential both in Klaipėda and across the Baltic Sea region,” says Algis Latakas, CEO of the Klaipėda Port Authority.
The Port Authority explored new solutions for cleaner shipping together with 14 partners from different countries through the H2Deri@BSP project. The project aims to accelerate the use of hydrogen-based fuels and support the transition towards zero-emission shipping.
As part of the project, the Klaipėda Port Authority assessed the Port’s potential to offer green methanol bunkering services in the future. The study looked at expected demand for green methanol, regulations supporting the use of alternative fuels, potential customers and fuel supply chains, as well as the environmental benefits of green methanol.
An analysis by Moffatt & Nichol Baltics found that although the green methanol market in the Baltic region is still at an early stage, ports that can offer alternative fuel bunkering are likely to become increasingly attractive to shipping lines. For Klaipėda, green methanol bunkering could also become a new business area, bring additional revenue and expand the range of services available at the Port.
The study also identified potential for green methanol to be produced from green hydrogen in the future. The Port of Klaipėda already has a green hydrogen production facility in operation. As the shipping industry works towards its decarbonisation goals, green methanol could see particularly strong demand from regional vessels, passenger ships and ferries, as well as vessels serving offshore wind farms.
The Port of Klaipėda continues to strengthen its role as an energy port. Since 2024, the green methanol-powered container ship Eco Umande, operated by Singapore’s X-Press Feeders, has been calling at the Port of Klaipėda. The Port has also signed a cooperation agreement with several other ports to support the development of green methanol infrastructure. Offering green methanol bunkering services could therefore further strengthen Klaipėda’s competitiveness and create new opportunities for the Port.
The project has already moved beyond analysis to a practical solution. The project developed a technical specification and concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel for the Port of Klaipėda.The concept was developed by Western Baltic Engineering, part of the Western Shipyard Group (VLG) operating at the Port of Klaipėda.
Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and on local bunkering routes, the vessel would have a green methanol capacity of 800 metric tonnes. It could supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes of green methanol per year.
Source: Port of Klaipėda
