The Port of Rotterdam has joined MI – The Global Methanol Alliance as its newest member and Board participant, bringing Northern Europe’s largest methanol hub into the Alliance.
Rotterdam is one of Europe's leading bunkering hubs and has historically been the largest bunkering port in Europe. The port handles more than 3 million tonnes of methanol annually and is a major center for methanol storage, distribution and bunkering, serving both its own industrial cluster and industrial centers across Northern Europe. Rotterdam was the first port in the world to facilitate barge-to-ship bunkering of methanol and is home to some of Europe’s largest dedicated methanol storage and bunkering facilities.
The port’s role is evolving as renewable and low-carbon methanol production grows and new markets develop. Initial volumes of renewable methanol are already being traded and handled through the Port of Rotterdam. Further growth in these volumes is expected in the coming years.
Building on Rotterdam’s established chains supplying methanol to the chemicals and industrial sectors, new projects are being developed for methanol-to-SAF and methanol-to-olefins, as well as for producing methanol from biomass and waste.
Alexander Döll, CEO of MI – The Global Methanol Alliance, said: “Building the methanol market takes the whole value chain, and ports are where supply, infrastructure and demand meet. Port of Rotterdam has already shown what that looks like in practice, from the world's first barge-to-ship methanol bunkering to a growing trade in methanol. Having that experience will help MI and its members extend established methanol supply chains into new markets and applications.
Matthijs van Doorn, Vice President Commercial, Port of Rotterdam, said: “Port of Rotterdam is home to a robust methanol ecosystem, comprising multiple existing terminals and connections to the hinterland. We intend to reinforce this position and prepare for the transition to clean methanol. Methanol will play a key role in decarbonising our industrial cluster and shipping. MI's global network can help us with this. We also hope to share our knowledge, inspire other partners, connect them with Rotterdam, and develop new partnerships and supply chains.”
Media contact
Aria Koutra · Global Communication Manager · [email protected] · +49 151 111 08911
