TT's largest methanol producer believes the increasing demand for methanol for marine fuel and the island's strategic location lay the foundation for the country to be a methanol bunkering hub which could benefit its citizens.
Proman TT has delivered over 12,500 metric tonnes (MT) of methanol as fuel for ships through the Point Lisas port over the last 12 months, and 2,100 MT in August.
The Switzerland-headquartered company is one of the world's largest methanol producers, making up to 4,000,000 MT annually across its five plants.
Trinidad is home to 14 of its 17 petrochemical plants and also produces ammonia, urea ammonium nitrate and melamine. It is supported by its upstream company, DeNovo, which extracts natural gas from the offshore Iguana and Zandolie fields in the Gulf of Paria.
[caption id="attachment_1104054" align="alignnone" width="683"] Journalists tour the Stena Prosperous’s engine room at the Point Lisas port on August 16. - Photo courtesy Proman[/caption]
The company is no stranger to using methanol as marine fuel. In 2019, it partnered with Stena Bulk to create six 49,900 dead-weight tonne tanker ships delivered between 2022 and January 2024.
Its latest vessel, the Stena Prosperous, bunkered at Pt Lisas on August 16.
Managing director, operations, Aleeya Ali told Business Day the investment in its shipping fleet has taken the locally manufactured gas to the US, Asian and European markets, but, more importantly, has helped encourage methanol's use as a marine fuel.
If realised, Proman's director of marketing and logistics Hanna Sukhu-Maharaj said, the country would reap the benefits.
"You have the opportunity of, first and foremost, creating downstream employment. If you have vessels that are being called to Trinidad – and it's not just employment (through) the people who are physically bunkering the vessel, but you are going to have ship handlers – you're going to have dry docking."
Although she admits a draft of 11.5 metres at Pt Lisas would not facilitate the berthing of some vessels, like cruise ships, she said Proman is experienced with workarounds such as bunkering via an offshore barge or a ship-to-ship transfer.
"If our ship is going out and passing by, once we have the necessary approvals, governmental and customs etcetera, we can do bunkering directly from our ships onto the vessels.
"It's really about creating a downstream value."
Elaborating on indirect benefits, Ali said: "If you look in the community, the entire service industry, expertise, people, jobs and an entire economy built around Pt Lisas, that is not just the direct plant and the direct employer.
[caption id="attachment_1104101" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Proman's MV Stena Pro Patria vessel.- File Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
"It's a multiplier effect. When you build the industry, it has a widespread effect."
Additionally, Proman's global shipping director Matthias Classen said Trinidad's strategic geographic location augurs well for attracting bunkering demand.
"It's right on the main
