NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers claims to have made a significant breakthrough in the decarbonization of maritime transport by operating a dual-fuel bulk carrier with low-carbon intensity methanol. According to the shipowner, the exercise carried out around a copper concentrate flow for BHP would have achieved approximately a 65% reduction in emissions using a “well-to-wake” approach, compared to a more conventional reference.
The operation relies on the ship Green Future (built in 2025), which is said to have refueled with this certified methanol in Ulsan (South Korea) before continuing on a logistical route to South America, followed by a planned unloading in Asia. NYK highlights the traceability of the fuel thru certification standards aimed at securing the environmental credibility of the chain.
Behind the announcement, the challenge is clear: to prove, on real journeys, that alternative fuels can support demanding industrial operations without remaining at the pilot stage. For shippers, it is also a signal: the transition will no longer be just a marketing promise, but a logistical selection criterion — especially for high ESG pressure flows.
