Shanghai, China | October 1, 2025 – In a historic advancement for China’s marine fuel transition, COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (CHI Shanghai) has successfully executed the nation’s first ship-to-ship methanol bunkering operation performed by a shipbuilding and repair enterprise at a shipyard berth. The achievement marks a significant milestone in China’s efforts to embrace cleaner, low-emission fuel alternatives in maritime transportation.
At the heart of this landmark operation was the COSCO Shipping Libra, a 20,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship, which received 2,100 metric tons of methanol fuel in just 10 hours at CHI Shanghai’s shipyard terminal. This operation sets a benchmark not only in technical execution but also in collaborative risk management and innovation.
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Bureau Veritas Plays Crucial Advisory Role
Providing comprehensive technical guidance and risk assurance throughout the operation was Bureau Veritas Solutions – Marine & Offshore (BVS), the technical advisory arm of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV). The agency’s involvement ensured that the bunkering was performed with the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship, and operational efficiency.
BVS supported CHI Shanghai with rigorous HAZID (Hazard Identification) and HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study) assessments across all five key stages of the operation:
- Truck-to-Ship Inerting
- Berthing of the Bunkering Vessel
- Ship-to-Ship Methanol Transfer
- Post-Bunkering Purging
- Safe Departure of Vessels
These assessments helped create a robust safety framework tailored to the specific risks associated with methanol — a low-flashpoint, flammable liquid with unique handling characteristics compared to traditional marine fuels.
A Model for Methanol-Fueled Maritime Operations
This pioneering ship-to-ship bunkering project showcases CHI Shanghai’s growing capacity to deliver integrated repair, conversion, and fueling solutions for the next generation of sustainable ships. By enabling methanol refueling at a shipyard terminal — a rare feat globally — the operation provides a replicable model for future dual-fuel vessel conversions and bunkering operations in China and beyond.
In the lead-up to the bunkering, CHI Shanghai led a collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort that included:
- Technical feasibility and safety reviews for large dual-fuel vessels
- Methanol-specific crew training and certification programs
- Tabletop emergency drills and scenario planning exercises
- Enhanced site-wide safety management systems and environmental controls
These initiatives underline CHI Shanghai’s commitment to supporting decarbonization and demonstrate a mature understanding of the operational realities of alternative fuels.
Bureau Veritas Commends Collaborative Success
Speaking on the success of the project, Matthieu de Tugny, Executive Vice President, Industrials and Commodities at Bureau Veritas, remarked “By working closely with COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Shanghai), we have shown how collaboration, preparation, and rigorous risk management can make methanol bunkering both safe and practical. This operation sets a new benchmark for China’s alternative fuel adoption, and Bureau Veritas is committed to supporting the industry as it accelerates its transition to clean energy.”
This sentiment reflects BV’s broader mission to lead and support safe innovation across the maritime sector as the global industry moves toward IMO 2050 decarbonization targets.
Paving the Way for Green Shipping in Asia
China’s first successful ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at a shipyard terminal arrives at a pivotal time. With methanol rapidly emerging as a favored transitional fuel due to its relative maturity, energy density, and existing supply infrastructure, this achievement sends a strong signal to shipowners, operators, and regulators across Asia.
As international shipping looks to reduce emissions without compromising performance, this operation reinforces China’s ambition to play a leading role in the alternative marine fuel landscape — not just as a consumer, but as a provider of world-class green shipping infrastructure and expertise.
About Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) is a globally recognized leader in ship classification, offshore safety, and marine technical advisory services. Established in 1828, BV provides expertise throughout the entire vessel lifecycle—from design and construction to operation and regulatory compliance—helping the maritime industry improve safety, performance, and environmental sustainability.
As part of the Bureau Veritas Group, a worldwide authority in testing, inspection, and certification, BV supports shipowners, shipyards, operators, and designers with classification services, statutory certifications, and risk assessments. Its technical advisory division, BV Solutions Marine & Offshore, delivers specialized consulting to facilitate the safe adoption of innovative marine technologies and alternative fuels.
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore plays a key role in advancing the maritime sector’s transition toward greener operations, helping clients meet complex regulatory requirements while protecting marine assets and the environment.
Source: Bureau Veritas