Platts launches Shanghai and Rotterdam low-carbon methanol assessments

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has launched three daily low-carbon methanol assessments in Asia and Europe, effective May 2.

The new assessments aid pricing transparency in the methanol bunkers market amid further evolution of the international maritime regulatory framework(opens in a new tab).

The new assessments are as follows:

Additional specifications for the new assessments are as follows:

Carbon intensity: Maximum 32.9 gCO2e/MJ.

In accordance with the prevailing EU Renewable Energy Directive, any transport biofuel must meet a minimum of 65% reduction in GHG emissions against the 94 gCO2e/MJ comparator, which is 32.9 gCO2e/MJ. Meanwhile, the renewable fuels of non-biological origin must demonstrate a minimum of 70% reduction in GHG emissions against the 94 gCO2e/MJ comparator, which is 28.2 gCO2e/MJ.

Globally, FuelEU Maritime regulations, which affect any intra-EU/European Economic Area journeys as well as journeys to and from EU/EEA countries, remain the most formalized and underpin the shipping industry's commitments globally. As such, each of the new assessments considers methanol, which can meet the above GHG reduction requirements.

Certification: The low-carbon methanol bunker stems must adhere to a proof of sustainability obtained in the framework of voluntary schemes approved by the EU Commission, such as ISCC or any other recognized industry equivalent.

Physical specifications: The methanol must conform to the International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association (IMPCA) Reference Specification with a minimum purity of 99.85%, maximum water content of 0.1% by weight and maximum ethanol content of 50 mg/kg.

Logistics costs: The Shanghai and Rotterdam delivered low-carbon MMF price assessments include logistics costs from the terminal to the barge, charges for delivery into the receiving vessel and the carbon intensity incurred in transporting the product.

Market information for product with other specifications and non-standard terms may be considered for the assessment and may be subject to normalization to the standard specifications and terms.

The Shanghai assessments are assessed at 4:30 pm Singapore time and follow the Singapore publishing schedule. The assessments appear on Platts Petrochemical Alert pages PCA 654, 198, 199; in Asian Petrochemicalscan.

The Rotterdam assessment is assessed at 4:30 pm London time, follows the UK publishing schedule and appears in the Europe and Americas Petrochemicalscan. All three assessments are also published on Platts Connect and in Platts PricePoint database under the abovementioned codes.

Platts previously launched Singapore low-carbon methanol marine fuel assessments in November 2024. Details of the existing assessments can be found here(opens in a new tab).

Please send all feedback, comments and questions to petchems@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.