Industry giants eye e-methanol bunkering and export facility in UAE

The UAE-based terminal operator AD Ports Group, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), Dutch-based provider of tank storage and infrastructure solutions Advario, and French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM Group have signed a collaboration agreement to explore the feasibility of developing an e-methanol bunkering and export facility at Khalifa Port and Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD, UAE.

As disclosed, the project is expected to provide critical infrastructure to complete the supply value chain and bridge commercial e-methanol production with off-takers, such as CMA CGM, in support of accelerating the decarbonization of the global shipping industry.

The agreement reportedly aligns with the ‘Abu Dhabi Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy’ and the UAE’s ‘National Hydrogen Strategy,’ which targets the scaling up of local hydrogen production to 1.4 million tonnes per annum by 2031 and 15 million tons per annum by 2050. Furthermore, it is said to correspond with the nation’s ‘Net Zero by 2050’ strategic initiative, which focuses on decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors by 2050.

Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO- Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, commented: “The signing of this agreement marks an important