Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) has successfully completed South Korea’s first methanol bunkering for a dual-fuel bulk carrier, marking a new milestone in the country’s sustainable fuel efforts.
The operation took place at Ulsan Port on 28 September 2025.
Following its world-first methanol bunkering demonstrations for container vessels in 2023–2024, this latest development expands Ulsan’s bunkering portfolio to include bulk carriers.
The methanol bunkering was carried out for the Green Future, a dual-fuel bulk carrier chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers Ltd., a subsidiary of the NYK Group, from Kambara Kisen Co., Ltd.
Green methanol, supplied by ITOCHU Corporation and produced by OCI Global, was transferred via ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering using storage at the OTK Terminal.
The operation utilised infrastructure at Ulsan New Port’s Southern Breakwater T/S Pier and marked Korea’s first STS green methanol bunkering for a dry bulk vessel.
UPA President, Jae-young Byeon, stated: “This bunkering operation is a milestone that demonstrates Ulsan Port’s capability to deliver commercial-scale green methanol bunkering . Building on this achievement, we are committed to spearheading sustainable marine fuel bunkering as a trusted global hub.”
Recently, Associated British Ports (ABP) celebrated the success of ‘TURBO-METH’, a clean technology project which has secured funding as part of the Department for Transport’s ‘Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) 6’.