Seatrade-Maritime: X-Press Feeders signs bio-methanol offtake LOI

Published by Seatrade-Maritime

X-Press feeders announced the signing of a letter of intent (LOI) with UK-based clean energy company PuriFire Energy on the development of bio-methanol in the maritime industry.

The partners said they will explore the potential for X-Press Feeders to be an off taker of PuriFire’s bio-methanol, including its initial production of 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes per annum from planned facilities. 

X-Press has been pursuing green methanol as a low-carbon fuel for some of its ships, launching a network of green-methanol-powered routes in Europe in 2024.

The new LOI with PuriFire Energy will see the world’s largest independent feeder carrier explore the co-development of new, larger bio-methanol production facilities in ports across the UK and Europe. The production network will meet the growing need for a fuel supply and distribution system as growing green methanol demand from shipping currently outstrips development plans, according to PuriFire.

The clean energy producer turns wastewater and waste carbon into bio-methanol and bio-methanol using a patented hydrothermal gasification technology. PuriFire says its approach offers a decentralised, cost-competitive production pathway that can be deployed on-site or near demand centres.

The aim of the partnership is to develop a fuel supply chain aligned with demand from the X-Press Feeders fleet, integrating captive production facilities to increase fuel security and reduce reliance on spot-traded fuel.

Shivendu Gadkar, head of fleet efficiency and performance at X-Press Feeders, said: “The success of our decarbonisation strategy depends on access to and availability of cost-effective green fuels at scale. PuriFire’s technology, which produces bio-methanol directly from wastewater, represents exactly the kind of innovation the industry needs. We look forward to working together to build a resilient green fuel supply chain across our European network and beyond.”

Neel Shah, CEO of PuriFire Energy, said: “Working with the world’s largest independent feeder carrier validates demand for our technology at the highest level and provides a clear roadmap for deploying bio-methanol production where it’s needed most. Together, we are demonstrating that decarbonising maritime fuel can be both effective and a competitive edge, rather than a compromise.”

In September 2025, X-Press Feeders CFO Ofir Wilzig said that changes to EU regulations had put pressure on methanol as a marine fuel by increasing the competitiveness of LNG. Until the regulation changes, X-Press Feeders’ 14 dual-fuel methanol vessels would run on conventional fuels, he said.