Methanol-Powered Bulk Carrier MV Green Future Heads to Dar es Salaam, Marking East Africa's First Alternative Fuel Ship Visit

The MV Green Future, a Japanese bulk carrier running on low-carbon methanol, is heading to Dar es Salaam after docking in Mombasa. It is carrying over 20,000 metric tons of steel coils, making it the first methanol-fueled vessel to call at East African ports. The ship is owned by NYK Line and aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 65% compared to conventional heavy fuel oil ships, though the actual benefit depends on how the methanol is produced. This visit highlights the growing use of alternative marine fuels and the role of ports like Mombasa and Dar es Salaam in supporting cleaner shipping. The Kenya Ports Authority is promoting a Green Ports Policy, while the industry watches whether methanol, ammonia, or LNG will become the standard. The key issue remains the source of the fuel: renewable or fossil-based methanol makes a big difference in lifecycle emissions.