Supporting Global Maritime Industry Decarbonisation, Shanghai Electric Completes First Large-Scale Biomethanol Bunkering

Biometanol from Shanghai Electric’s Taonan project has been used in the bunkering of the CMA CGM OSMIUM container ship at Yangshan Port in Shanghai this month. This achievement marks the first time Chinese-sourced biomethanol has been used on a large scale by a global shipping company. It also reflects Shanghai Electric’s expansion into green hydrogen technology and next-generation fuels.

Led by the Shanghai International Port Group on 5–6 March, the bunkering process was conducted using a simultaneous loading and fuelling model, resulting in efficient coordination between cargo handling and fuel supply.

The recipient vessel, a new-generation dual-fuel methanol container ship owned by the CMA CGM Group, utilised biomethanol produced by Shanghai Electric. This demonstrates Shanghai Electric’s highly integrated supply chain model, covering biomethanol production, land-sea multimodal logistics, and port bunkering processes.

Shanghai Electric’s Taonan project is China’s first large-scale commercial biomethanol facility. Located in the western region of Jilin Province, the project harnesses abundant wind, solar, and biomass resources. The initiative integrates technologies independently developed by Shanghai Electric, including pressurised biomass gasification with oxygen supply, flexible wind-powered hydrogen production, and methanol synthesis from CO₂-rich syngas, to create a highly integrated biomethanol production system.

Compared to conventional coal-based methanol, biomethanol significantly reduces carbon emissions throughout its lifecycle. Thus, biomethanol makes a substantial contribution to decarbonisation targets in the maritime sector. It also serves as a reliable green fuel option for the global shipping industry, while supporting the transition to low-carbon and zero-carbon operations.

This integrated “green electricity–green hydrogen–green methanol” system not only addresses local needs for renewable energy and biomass but also provides a stable, efficient, and sustainable low-carbon fuel for the shipping industry. Following system optimisation, the Taonan facility now operates sustainably, producing biomethanol that meets international marine fuel standards and has obtained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC EU). In its initial phase, the project has an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes, with plans for future expansion.

“The success of this bunkering process represents a breakthrough for Shanghai Electric in the field of green hydrogen and next-generation fuels. Moving forward, Shanghai Electric will continue to deepen research and development, as well as industrial application of biomethanol technology, while strengthening collaboration with global shipping companies and port operators. With core technologies developed independently and integrated solutions across the entire value chain, we are committed to making tangible contributions to the global energy transition and achieving carbon neutrality in the maritime industry,” said a representative from Shanghai Electric.