Exolum, Methanex Corporation and Ørsted, on Tuesday (10 February) announced the launch of the United Kingdom’s (UK) first commercially ready biomethanol storage and supply service for shipping at the Port of Immingham.
The Port of Immingham is the UK’s largest port by cargo volume and a critical gateway for energy and bulk materials, making it an important hub for maritime operations and low‑carbon fuel supply.
The initiative underscores the partners’ commitment to advancing decarbonisation in maritime transport – even as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently deferred its vote on implementation of its Net Zero Framework, a policy regarded as critical to reducing emissions in shipping.
Despite this delay, the companies are prioritising action to drive progress in one of the world’s hardest-to-abate sectors.
The initiative will provide marine bunkering services for biomethanol, one of the leading green fuels for decarbonising shipping.
Exolum will provide the storage and fuelling infrastructure at its Immingham facility, leveraging its extensive experience and strategic assets. Methanex will supply the biomethanol for the project. Ørsted will be the first to utilise this service for its North Sea offshore wind farm maintenance vessels supporting the U.K.’s clean energy ambitions.
This collaboration demonstrates how existing energy infrastructure can be adapted to support new, sustainable fuels and highlights the partners’ shared commitment to accelerating the maritime sector’s transition to low-carbon operations.
In the U.K., domestic shipping accounts for 4.7% of transport-related CO₂ emissions – more than the country’s buses, trains, and domestic aviation combined.
The trio said the project marked a significant first step toward addressing that challenge and the wider challenge of decarbonising international shipping emissions.
Photo credit: Methanex Corporation
Published: 11 February, 2026
