Client: Proman Stena Bulk
Helping a joint venture between one of world’s largest methanol producers and a major shipowner to build the profile of methanol as a marine fuel
Background
BLUE was appointed by Proman Stena Bulk – a joint venture between methanol producer Proman and tanker shipping company Stena Bulk – at the beginning of 2022. Building on our existing relationship with Stena Bulk, BLUE has carved out a new, retained remit for the joint venture that is aimed at communicating their corporate successes and building the profile of methanol as a marine fuel via thought leadership and constant market engagement.
Objectives
In the opening phases of the maritime energy transition, producers of each potential low or zero carbon fuel are aiming to communicate the benefits of, and market confidence in, their solution. Proman Stena Bulk’s vision is to advance the profile of methanol as a marine fuel (MMF) by proving that it is operationally viable in the near term.
Our objectives include communicating milestones related to the joint venture’s owned and operated methanol tanker fleet – and the fact that they are six of less than twenty vessels in the world that currently use methanol – as well as using thought leadership to talk about methanol’s role in maritime decarbonisation.
Approach
Our activity with Proman Stena Bulk is highly focused on detailed media engagement and relationship building, to build the credibility of the joint venture and to raise awareness of their activities. Our corporate news pipeline has been populated by regular updates on the status of Proman Stena Bulk’s growing fleet of methanol fuelled tankers, as well as the wider initiatives (including green funds & working groups) the joint venture is taking to ensure methanol can be scaled as a marine fuel. We have also placed a high focus on industry events and awards to create the platforms for high level communications.
Results
Today, Proman Stena Bulk is increasingly seen as a market leader on not only methanol as a marine fuel, but also its practical implementation and scaling journey. This strong start has set us up to now move into the next phase where we will position methanol as a staged journey to decarbonisation, and how the industry can ‘move through the gears’ of grey, blue and green methanol, supported by a burgeoning alternative fuels supply chain.
