Bahri takes two methanol-fuelled tankers on five-year charter

Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier Bahri has penned a long-term deal with Swiss methanol producer and tanker owner Proman to charter in two of its methanol-powered ships.

The company’s chemical arm has taken the Guangzhou Shipyard International 2023-built 49,900 dwt MRs Stena Provident and Stena Progressive on hire for five years.

The vessels are the final two of an initial six methanol-fuelled tankers ordered by a joint venture between Proman and Stena Bulk.

By running on methanol, the first ship in the series delivered in 2022, the Stena Pro Patria, has already delivered 11% below Phase 3 of the EEDI requirements of at least a 30% reduction in carbon intensity by 2025, setting a new benchmark for methanol-fuelled tankers, Bahri said.

“Methanol is increasingly becoming a mainstream marine fuel and Proman is committed to time-chartering our vessels to enable others to gain operational experience of using methanol as a fuel, to realise the immediate air quality benefits and emissions reductions it brings, and to understand its value and role on the pathway to a lower-emission future,” noted Anita Gajadhar, Proman’s marketing and logistics executive director.