The first green methanol-fueled container ship will pass through the region: Dutch-based chemical producer OCI Global is fueling the first ever green methanol-powered container ship — set to leave South Korea and pass through the Suez Canal — under a partnership with Denmark’s shipping and logistics giant AP Moller-Maersk, according to a press release (pdf). Under the partnership, OCI will be providing the carbon-neutral methanol to fuel the maiden voyage of Maersk’s first dual-fueled container ship on its inaugural trip to Northern Europe this summer, passing by the world’s busiest shipping routes.

What this means for Egypt: The high frequency of large containerships crossing the Suez Canal necessitates green methanol and other low carbon fuel bunkering to help decarbonize the shipping industry, OCI Global said. It represents a “unique opportunity for the Suez Canal to position itself as a Green Marine Bunkering Hub to proactively attract more Green Marine Traffic to the area and be ahead of nearby ports such as Fujairah, Jeddah and Morocco,” it added. The vessel’s passage through Port Said will also help kickstart demand for green hydrogen offtake and consolidate the country’s position as a green hydrogen hub.

REMEMBER- It was lights on for Egypt’s green hydrogen ambitions last year: Norway’s Scatec, the OCI / Adnoc joint venture Fertiglobe, Orascom Construction, and the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (SFE) began commissioning the first phase of their 100 MW green hydrogen plant in Ain Sokhna in November. The plant will be powered by 260 MW of solar and wind energy and will produce around 15k tons of green hydrogen.

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The Arab League and the Pacific Small Island Developing States issue Riyadh Declaration to expand cooperation, including in renewables: Members of the Arab League and the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) adopted the Riyadh Declaration to promote partnerships between the two blocs in various fields including renewable energy, the Saudi Press Agency reports. The two blocs will also cooperate in areas including environment protection, maritime preservation, biodiversity, meteorology, natural disaster responses among others. The groups agreed to take steps towards signing MoUs in these fields and intend to hold regular meetings on the margins of UN General Assembly meetings.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

• Abu Dhabi’s waste management company Tadweer has deployed the region’s first 100% electric waste collection truck in collaboration with Renault Trucks Middle East. (Tweet)
• UAE’s renewables developer Masdar has installed solar panels at the country’s first carbon mineralisation pilot project site by Adnoc in Fujairah. (Twitter)
• Chinese renewable energy group Envision will supply wind turbines to Egypt’s 500 MW Amunet wind project. (Statement)