The future of shipping is here, and it’s powered by methanol. Unibarge, the Dutch-Swiss inland tanker shipping powerhouse, has just secured a game-changing license to deliver methanol bunkering supplies to Europe’s most critical ports: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Antwerp-Bruges. This isn’t just another milestone—it’s a bold step toward decarbonizing one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries.
The Methanol Bunkering Breakthrough
Unibarge’s 3,238 dwt bunker barge, Chicago, recently made history by successfully supplying green methanol to X-Press Feeders’ 1,170 TEU container ship, Eco Umande. This operation, completed in February 2025 at Rotterdam’s Delta Barge Feeder terminal, marked a world-first: Eco Umande is the first container vessel to undergo a methanol dual-fuel engine retrofit.
But Chicago isn’t just any barge—it’s Europe’s first dual-fuel bunker barge powered by green methanol. Retrofitted in early 2023 through a collaboration between Unibarge and Dutch fuel producer OCI N.V., Chicago is a symbol of innovation, running on renewable methanol, low-carbon fuels, and conventional biofuels. This initiative is a cornerstone in the shipping industry’s quest for climate neutrality.
Europe’s Ports Embrace the Green Transition
The Port of Rotterdam has been a trailblazer in methanol bunkering, offering the service to sea-going vessels since 2023. Demand for green methanol has skyrocketed, jumping from 750 tonnes in 2023 to nearly 4,000 tonnes in 2024. However, the port reported a slight dip in overall bunkering operations, from 9.9 million tonnes in 2023 to 9.8 million in 2024—a sign that the industry is shifting toward cleaner alternatives.
Meanwhile, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges has also been making waves. In June 2023, it completed its first methanol bunkering operation, supplying 475 tonnes of methanol to Proman Stena Marine. The port hit another milestone in April 2024 when the Ane Maersk, the world’s first large methanol-powered deep-sea vessel, bunkered 4,300 tons of green methanol and 1,375 tons of biodiesel during its maiden visit to Antwerp.
Not to be outdone, the Port of Amsterdam is charting its own course toward sustainability. In January 2025, the port unveiled an ambitious strategy to become a hub for clean shipping, renewable energy, and circular industries by 2040. Key initiatives include transitioning coal terminals, phasing out fossil fuels, and scaling up non-fossil activities. The port has also updated its bylaws to facilitate the bunkering of eco-friendly fuels like LNG, hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia.
A New Era for Shipping
Unibarge’s methanol bunkering license is more than just a business achievement—it’s a signal that the shipping industry is ready to embrace a greener future. With Europe’s major ports leading the charge, the transition to sustainable fuels is no longer a distant dream but a tangible reality. As methanol-powered vessels become the norm, the seas are set to become cleaner, quieter, and more efficient.
