Three state agencies under the oversight of Trinidad & Tobago’s (T&T) Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on positioning the nation as the Caribbean’s first low-carbon marine bunkering hub.
The MoU commits National Energy Corporation of Trinidad & Tobago Limited (National Energy), Trinidad & Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (NP), and Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited (Paria) to immediately conduct a feasibility study that will evaluate the potential to supply low-carbon marine fuels (such as methanol) to ships operating on trade routes throughout the Caribbean.
The feasibility study is expected to conclude by April 2025, after which an implementation plan will be developed, with the goal of making the hub operational by 2026.
‘This is not uncharted territory for National Energy,’ said Dr. Joseph Khan, Chairman of National Energy. ‘In 2023, we introduced Trinidad & Tobago’s first low-emission tug, marking a major step in reducing emissions from our maritime operations. This next move strengthens our position as a regional leader and will attract cleaner vessels to our ports.’
NP Chairman, Sahid Hosein, added: ‘We’re fully prepared for this transition. Our facilities are equipped to meet the growing demand from international ships seeking cleaner fuel alternatives.’
Paria Chairman, Newman George emphasised that the company’s: ‘infrastructure and market intelligence enable us to run reliable and efficient terminals for both petroleum products and cleaner fuels. This aligns with the global industry’s shift towards low-carbon solutions.’