In February 2026, the global green methanol industry will show an accelerated development trend, with substantial breakthroughs in all aspects from policy support to project production, from ship delivery to industrial chain integration, marking the industry's transition from the technology verification stage to large-scale commercial applications.

Clear support paths in multiple countries and regions

In February 2026, several provinces in China will include green hydroamyl alcohol as a key priority. Liaoning Province proposes to plan and construct the Chifeng Jinzhou hydrogen ammonia alcohol pipeline, creating a green ship fuel storage, transportation, and refueling center in Northeast Asia; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region emphasizes the expansion of green hydrogen ammonia alcohol application scenarios; Jilin Province has formulated an implementation plan to clearly support the green methanol project with a focus on adding new loads. The Hong Kong SAR government will increase its green shipping policies in the 2026-27 fiscal year budget, including reducing port charges for green fuel vessels and launching a green vessel registration incentive program.

On the European side, the Finnish Business Promotion Agency provided up to 118.6 million euros in investment tax credits to ETFuels' Ranua e-Methanol project in February 2026, which produces 110000 tons of e-Methanol annually. The UK Department for Transport supports Kent and Equilibrion's electric to liquid project through the Advanced Fuel Fund, which has a highly synergistic technological path with the production of electronic methanol.

Diversified technological routes and capacity expansion

In February 2026, Songyuan, Jilin, China has become one of the most densely populated areas for green ammonia projects in the world. After being put into operation in December 2025, the China Energy Construction Qinghuai-1 project has achieved a cumulative green ammonia production of over 10000 tons by February 2026, setting four world records and achieving 100% localization of key equipment. Goldwind Technology's Xing'an League Green Hydrogen to Green Methanol Phase III project was registered in February, with an annual output of 725000 tons. It is expected to achieve a total annual production capacity of 1.45 million tons by the end of 2027.

The Jiangxi Xinlianxin 100000 ton green methanol demonstration project adopts a synergistic gasification route of biomass and coal based raw materials, and has passed ISCC EU certification. The 300000 ton green hydrogen alcohol aviation oil chemical co production supporting project of Heilongjiang Jiaze New Energy has been approved to use biomass cogeneration to provide energy.

The North American and European projects are advancing simultaneously. Carbon Direct and C2X are collaborating to promote the Beaver Lake project in Louisiana, which utilizes forestry residues to produce biomethanol. It is expected to start production in 2029. AustroCel in Austria is advancing the Harlein GreenMeOH project, planning to build a 20 MW electrolytic cell with an annual output of 12000 to 15000 tons of electronic methanol. The Ranua project of Finland's ETFuels is expected to produce 110000 tons of renewable hydrogen based e-methanol annually.

Intensive delivery of methanol powered ships

In terms of ocean shipping, on February 26, 2026, Dafei Shipping named the CMA CGM OSMIUM 13000 TEU methanol dual fuel container ship in South Korea, which will be put into operation on the Asia Mexico route. The number of Dafei methanol powered ships in service has increased to 11. RFOcean has signed a long-term purchase agreement with ETFuels, planning to purchase electronic methanol from 2030 to support its 8 methanol preparation chemical tankers in meeting FuelEU maritime regulations.

In the inland and coastal areas of China, the Huai River 001 was launched in Wuhan as a pure methanol powered vessel to undertake the coal transportation task in the Huai River Basin. The Innovation 19 vessel will make its maiden voyage from Ningbo on February 25, 2026. It is China's first 15000 ton methanol single fuel powered river sea direct bulk carrier, with a methanol substitution rate of over 90% and carbon dioxide emissions reduction of over 90%. Four sister ships are expected to be put into operation before May 2026.

Merger and acquisition cooperation strengthens technological capabilities

In February 2026, G&O Maritime Group acquired Eltronic FuelTech from Denmark to strengthen its technology portfolio for alternative marine fuel systems such as methanol and ammonia. Pioneer Renewable Energy Company acquires E-Z Recycling, integrating unpacking capabilities and anaerobic digestion infrastructure. Carbon Direct collaborates with C2X to advance the development of biofuels and carbon removal credits. Keywords: Macro News Network, New Energy

The industry dynamics in February 2026 indicate that the green methanol industry has surpassed the demonstration stage. In China, industrial clusters represented by Songyuan are promoting equipment localization and cost reduction. In Europe, policy subsidies are accelerating the landing of electronic methanol projects, and the delivery frequency of methanol powered ships from offshore to inland shipping has significantly increased. With the improvement of refueling infrastructure and the signing of long-term purchase agreements, the position of green methanol as the core fuel for decarbonization in shipping is further consolidated.Editor/Gao Xue