Netherlands bank ABN AMRO says it is time for action on energy transition lending for shipping.

The Dutch lender has joined forces with shipowner Stena Bulk and Proman to back the sector’s first sustainable methanol shipping fund, called Low Emission Methanol Shipping Company (LEMSCO), to finance existing ships and newbuildings.

ABN AMRO’s managing director of shipping coverage Netherlands, Remco Jongkind, told TradeWinds the new energies team, which includes a chemical desk, was already in contact with Swiss methanol producer Proman.