Golden Island’s methanol bunker tanker “Golden Antares” arrives, preparing MFM for the acceptance test.

"We are proud to be the first mover in pushing methanol as a marine fuel in Singapore," commented Mr. Tomohiro Yamano, our General Manager of the Marine Fuel Department at Golden Island.

Golden Antares, a 7,999 DWT IMO type 2 chemical tanker owned and operated by Golden Island, arrived in Singapore on 7 August 2025.

On 23 July 2025, Golden Antares completed loading 5,000 metric tonnes (mt) of ISCC EU-certified green methanol from Tianjin Vopak’s storage facility at Tianjin Port before embarking towards Singapore. The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) was the supplier, while Mitsubishi Corporation was the trader for the cargo.

"Our bunker tanker will first undergo port formalities and have its mass flow meter (MFM) unit commissioned in Singapore," said Mr. Yamano.

"After the above is done, it will discharge green methanol to the Stolthaven Terminal in Singapore port on 15 August 2025 while keeping a portion onboard for the acceptance test of our MFM system to ensure it meets the requirements set by Technical Reference for Methanol Bunkering (TR129)."

As part of our efforts to ensure the vessel complies with TR129 for methanol bunkering operations in Singapore, we have installed safety equipment: fixed gas detectors from Gastron and fixed thermal cameras from HIKvision on Golden Antares.

TR129 was launched by the Maritime and Port of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council, in March 2025 to provide a comprehensive framework for the safe and efficient use of methanol as an alternative fuel for bunkering operations. It outlines requirements for the safe handling, transfer, and measurement of methanol during bunkering operations.

The development signifies a milestone for Golden Island and the company’s commitment towards sustainability and improved safety arrangements.

All crew members have also completed the Basic and Advanced Training for Handling of Methanol as Fuel for Maritime Personnel courses. The courses were taught by the Singapore Maritime Academy at Singapore Polytechnic as part of the Maritime Energy Training Facility established by MPA in 2024 to train the maritime workforce to handle and operate vessels using clean marine fuels.

Since 2023, Golden Island has been designing a methanol bunker tanker for use in Singapore waters.

"We have always believed that for short-term to mid-term decarbonisation targets, green methanol has always been one of the best options available for the shipping industry," explained Mr. Yamano.

"Methanol is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, thus making it easier to handle and store compared to gaseous fuels. The material is biodegradable in water and has the potential to be a carbon-neutral marine fuel."

"We want to be ready and prepared, overcome potential obstacles and share our experiences and knowledge with all stakeholders. Hopefully, we can help to grow the green methanol ecosystem in Singapore, positioning Singapore as the leading green methanol bunkering hub."

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas)

Towngas is the first enterprise on the Chinese mainland to produce ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS-certified green methanol. The successful delivery to Golden Island demonstrates Towngas’s capability to meet the commitments with precision and reliability. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of Towngas’s strategic investment in green methanol production. Towngas recognises the growing momentum of the green methanol market across the region and remains dedicated to developing low-carbon solutions that support the shipping industry’s decarbonisation objectives.

Mitsubishi Corporation

Mitsubishi Corporation is the principal partner of Golden Island in Singapore, acting as a conventional and low-carbon methanol supplier, logistic service provider and coordinator of the supply chain. Mitsubishi views this transaction and partnership as an important step in its methanol initiative to support the global decarbonization of the maritime sector.

Stolthaven Terminals

"Receiving this parcel of green methanol into Stolthaven Singapore through the Golden Antares marks a significant milestone in our efforts to support the decarbonisation of marine fuels. As a global storage provider and key logistics partner, we are proud to provide the infrastructure and operational capabilities necessary to handle green methanol safely and efficiently. This delivery not only demonstrates our readiness to support growing demand, but also reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the future of sustainable shipping in Singapore and beyond," expressed Guy Bessant, President of Stolthaven Terminals.