Young to lobby for methanol-infused fuel

Energy Minister Stuart Young has announced plans to go to Cabinet to advocate for changes in the specifications for gasoline products coming into TT.

He made this announcement at Methanex's bunkering demonstration held at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain, on Wednesday.

"(This ensures) our partnerships with two of the largest methanol producers in TT and two of the largest exporters of methanol will continue," he said.

Young said the transportation industry, which uses gasoline, may also have access to cleaner fuels as he hopes to introduce a percentage of methanol into the fuels.

Part III of the Petroleum Act states the President may make regulations necessary for several purposes, including the manner in which tests and measurements may be applied to petroleum and petroleum products for any purpose.

A study done by the Methanol Institute – the trade association for the global methanol industry – said methanol has many fuel properties that make it a cleaner burning fuel in gasoline engines. This includes oxygen for cleaner fuel combustion, the ability to reduce carbon intensity and no sulphur contamination which can damage cars.

Young said Government has decided to enter the shipping industry by supplying methanol and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as alternatives to marine fuel for shipping vessels.

"We are going to be a leader in the region because we have the products in both LNG and Methanol. TT will be at the forefront to ensure that we have the competitive advantage in the diversification towards a maritime industry by supplying these two alternative products.

"If we in TT can provide these types of fuels, and in particular methanol, it is going to encourage people to move their ships to methanol fuel and to know that we are perfectly positioned here in TT to provide that."

Methanex partnered with the National Energy Corporation, Paria Fuel Company, Uni-Tankers, Green Marine, Bunker Holding and Chinese-based transportation company NYK, for the demonstration, which was conducted at the port of Point Lisas.

The Uni-Tankers vessel, Alsia Swan, fuelled the Seymour Sun, a methanol-powered vessel operated by Waterfront Shipping and owned by NYK.

Methanex vice president of global gas, Anders Ekvall, said methanol can be used not only as a feedstock in the production of other chemicals but as a clean alternative fuel.

"The methanol bunkering operation we are showcasing today represents a significant step toward decarbonising the maritime industry by demonstrating that any methanol dual-fuel ship can come to TT and safely receive methanol," he said. "Methanol is a safe, proven, cost-competitive marine fuel for the commercial shipping fuel that can meet and exceed current and planned emission regulations."