Equisera and VertomCory to explore bio-methanol bunker fuel supply in UK

Waste-to-gas technology developer Equisera on Wednesday (4 November) announced that it is working with global maritime services group VertomCory to explore bio-methanol supply for the shipping sector, with a focus on making low-carbon marine fuel in Britain from UK biogenic waste.

Shipping is under growing pressure to decarbonise. Since July 2026, voyages between UK ports have been covered by the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), and International Maritime Organization member states are expected to return in December to a decision on a global fuel standard and carbon price for shipping.

Methanol is one of the more practical alternative fuels for the sector. It is liquid at ambient temperature, can be handled using established practice and already runs in commercially available dual-fuel engines. According to DNV, more than 450 methanol-capable vessels were operating or on order by December 2025. To deliver a real emissions benefit, however, it needs to come from a renewable source, and supply of renewable methanol is still at an early stage.

The two companies see coastal and short-sea shipping as a practical place to start. These services tend to run to regular patterns and call at a manageable number of UK ports, making them well suited to proving low-carbon fuels at commercial scale through green shipping corridors, where fuel supply, vessels and bunkering infrastructure are developed together. Making maritime fuel in Britain from UK waste could also strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on fossil marine fuels and support British engineering and manufacturing.

This story was originally published by Manifold Times. Read the full story at Manifold Times →