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Kandla Port advances methanol bunkering capabilities
In a significant initiative in the context of decarbonising the maritime sector, Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla Port) has taken steps to advance its methanol bunkering capabilities. Located on India’s western coast, Kandla has long handled grey methanol as cargo and already possesses compatible infrastructure, including tank storage, pipelines and jetties. Building on this foundation, the port is now actively developing dedicated methanol bunkering capabilities.
To assess readiness, Kandla Port engaged DNV Maritime Advisory Services to evaluate existing infrastructure and the adequacy of regulatory and safety frameworks. Following the assessment, the port was rated at Level 6 on the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Port Readiness Level (PRL) scale for methanol bunkering.
On April 2nd this year Kandla Port conducted a trial shore-to-ship methanol bunkering operation to validate infrastructure and operational protocols. The exercise was carried out in collaboration with industry partners, including Stolt Tankers, J M Baxi, Aegis Vopak and Indian Oil Corporation. The trial is said to have validated key elements such as bunker transfer processes, safety systems and regulatory compliance. The DNV team conducted on-site verification, confirming alignment with global best practices for methanol bunkering.
The port is now working toward ensuring the availability of approximately 500 tonnes of methanol by 2028-29 to support deep sea, dual-fuel vessels operating along the Asia-Europe trade corridor. Following the successful shore-to-ship trial, Kandla Port plans to undertake ship-to-ship methanol bunkering in the next phase, further strengthening its operational capabilities.
