Proman has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with the Port of Klaipėda in Lithuania to support its transition from a “gateway to the world” to an “energy port”. The Port of Klaipėda aims to become an energy centre, not just a cargo, shipbuilding and repair base, and the cooperation with Proman, one of the world’s largest producers and suppliers of methanol, will help the Port of Klaipėda in the planning, design and implementation of future methanol bunkering and the potential development of a methanol-to-power project for shore side power (“SSE”) in or near the Klaipėda port.

“The number of ships powered by alternative fuels has been growing every year. With both shipowners and ports obliged to reduce their annual emissions, alternatively fuelled ships are becoming increasingly more integrated into the shipping sector. Last year, 275 alternative fuel ships were ordered worldwide. Ports need to make decisions today to keep pace and to offer alternative fuel hubs to shipping lines in time. The Port of Klaipėda is taking proactive steps to ensure the deployment of alternative fuels and to gain knowledge and know-how in the alternative energy industry. Together, we are building a network of partners and stakeholders who could potentially participate in various stages of green energy projects”, says Algis Latakas, CEO of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.

“Our range of products, particularly our low-carbon methanol blends, combined with our continuing investments in green and low-carbon methanol production facilities globally, will help catalyse the energy transition for a diverse range of industries. This MoU with Klaipeda Port is a part of our effort to provide storage, bunkering and logistics solutions within Europe for our worldwide customer base”, says Timothy Cornelius, Managing Director of Corporate Development at Proman.

Methanol’s versatility and inherently cleaner-burning properties makes it one of the most attractive alternatives to conventional fossil fuels today, as it produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions and helps to improve air quality. Methanol is an important chemical compound used in a wide range of applications, including the production of sustainable transport fuels and as a feedstock in a variety of industries, such as automotive, construction, pharmaceuticals, plastics, textiles and energy production.

The cooperation agreement commits to exchange information on methanol production, storage, supply, bunkering and use; sustainable port development, environmental protection and other topics; as well as potential joint participation in methanol production and power projects, alternative fuels events, conferences, seminars and initiatives. With the cooperation agreement, Proman will also support the Port of Klaipėda to initiate dialogue and cooperation with methanol experts and operators, methanol clusters and associations, as well as shipping lines.