ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – June 2025 — ZeroNorth and OCI Fuels have completed the first fully digital delivery of green methanol at the Port of Rotterdam. This milestone marks a major advancement in the digitalization and decarbonization of maritime bunkering, reflecting how multiple industry stakeholders — from fuel suppliers to technology providers and logistics operators — are enabling sustainable progress in shipping.
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Collaboration Accelerates Maritime’s Green and Digital Transition
The shipping industry faces growing challenges: tighter regulations, urgent decarbonization demands, and increasing calls for transparency. Meeting these challenges requires coordinated efforts across the maritime value chain.
This groundbreaking delivery involved OCI FUELS, ZeroNorth, barge operator UniBarge, and shipowner X-Press Feeders, highlighting how stakeholders are working together to create more efficient, transparent, and environmentally responsible bunkering processes.
OCI supplied green methanol to X-Press Feeders for one of the first fully digital bunker deliveries at Rotterdam, using ZeroNorth’s eBDN (electronic Bunker Delivery Note) platform to manage the process securely and seamlessly.
Nicolai Bendixen, Managing Director at ZeroNorth Bunker, commented;
“This marks the first of many digital green fuel deliveries – and points to the broader change happening in the bunker industry. As the industry adapts to new fuels, regulatory pressure, and growing expectations around transparency, solutions like eBDN will play a key role. We’re proud to support this transformation and grateful to partner with OCI FUELS in making it happen.”
Port of Rotterdam: A Hub for Alternative Fuels and Digital Innovation
As Europe’s largest port and a global maritime hub, the Port of Rotterdam continues to lead the way in sustainable fuels and digital solutions. Its strategic investments in infrastructure and innovation make it a natural setting for this landmark delivery.
This fully digital green methanol operation reflects the port’s commitment to enabling greener, smarter shipping.
X-Press Feeders: Driving Alternative Fuel Adoption
X-Press Feeders, one of the world’s leading independent common carriers, is actively investing in low-emission technologies. The company is integrating green methanol and other alternative fuels into its fleet, aligning with global decarbonization goals.
Participation in this digital delivery reinforces X-Press Feeders’ leadership in fuel innovation and digital transformation, helping to meet both regulatory and customer expectations.
UniBarge: Ensuring Safe, Reliable Fuel Delivery
As the barge operator, UniBarge ensured the safe and efficient transfer of green methanol in port. Transporting alternative fuels like methanol requires specialized expertise, and UniBarge’s role was critical in ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable delivery.
ZeroNorth’s eBDN Platform: Digitizing Bunker Operations
Central to this achievement is ZeroNorth’s eBDN platform, which replaces the traditional, paper-based bunker delivery note process mandated by MARPOL Annex VI. The digital system captures vital delivery information, including:
- Vessel and supplier details
- Delivery port, time, and location
- Fuel type, quantity, density, and sulfur content
- Supplier’s signed compliance declaration
Backed by IMO recognition, the eBDN uses secure digital features like QR codes and digital signatures to ensure traceability and authenticity. This improves operational transparency and reduces the administrative burden for all parties.
Green Methanol: Powering the Maritime Energy Transition
Produced from renewable sources like biomass and captured CO₂, green methanol is a promising marine fuel that offers:
- Major reductions in carbon emissions
- Compatibility with existing ship engines
- Enhanced environmental safety
- Compliance with IMO targets and ESG goals
OCI FUELS’ pioneering use of green methanol — delivered through a fully digital process — sets a new standard for sustainable marine fuel operations.
A Turning Point for Maritime Bunkering
This first fully digital green methanol delivery is more than a technical achievement — it’s a signal of the maritime industry’s evolution. As bunkering transitions from manual, paper-heavy workflows to modern, digital, and sustainable systems, partnerships like this will pave the way for a cleaner, smarter future.
About OCI FUELS
OCI FUELS is a global marine fuel supplier committed to advancing the adoption of sustainable shipping fuels such as green methanol. Through innovative partnerships and digital integration, OCI FUELS supports the maritime sector’s journey toward a low-carbon future.
About ZeroNorth
ZeroNorth, founded in 2020, has rapidly become a global force in maritime technology with 600 employees across 10 countries. In 2024 alone, it optimised 720,000 voyage legs, generated 1.5 million voyage plans, and helped its clients reduce over one million metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Its platform connects the entire shipping value chain — from vessel owners and charterers to bunker suppliers — turning real-time data into actionable insights for operational and environmental performance.
Source ZeroNorth | OCI Global