Methanol has several known benefits as a marine fuel, including the significant reduction in NOx, SOx and particulate matter emissions when burned, compared to traditional HFO/MGO. Producers can also create ‘green’ methanol through renewable sources and ‘blue’ methanol through carbon capture and storage. However, methanol has a lower energy density relative to conventional marine fuel […]
A new report from the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping outlines the opportunities and challenges relating to converting tankers to run on methanol or ammonia fuels Transitioning to climate-friendly alternative fuels is essential for the decarbonisation of the shipping industry. However, vessels being built or ordered today are likely to be operating […]
Existing firefighting methods and safety rules not ready for growing interest in methanol conversion projects, warns new study Methanol as a low-carbon fuel is an attractive choice for vessel owners and operators as they look to transition to net zero. Orders for methanol-fuelled newbuilds have increased 9% in the last 12 months, 2% more than […]
Stena contract highlights engine manufacturer’s growing influence in the methanol engine conversion sector Since last year Wärtsilä has been working closely with the ferry operator Stena Line on a contract for the conversion of some of its vessels to operate on methanol, as part of a broader decarbonisation strategy. The project involves modifying fuel supply […]
Stellar Shipmanagement Services Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Energy Group, has taken delivery of MT Maple, a 4,000 deadweight IMO Type 2 oil and chemical tanker, that also has the distinction of being the first dedicated methanol bunkering tanker to operate out of the Port of Singapore. Built by Sasaki Shipbuilding Co […]
Whether or not methanol should prove to be the winner (or one of them) in the great rush towards cleaner fuels is one of many questions unlikely to become apparent for a number of years yet. What is clear is that many shipowners are already prepared to hedge their bets. Over the summer Maersk, whose […]
By Malcolm Latarche, correspondent Future fuels were a topic for much discussion throughout September with both DNV and Lloyd’s Register publishing studies on the subject, Maersk naming the world’s first methanol-fuelled container ship and entering into partnership with Equinor to secure a supply of green methanol and it also being a theme of the London […]
British Columbia’s Salish Sea region is engaged in a balancing act: opening up trade, but with its tanker exports routing through the intricate connecting waters of the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca. The surrounding First Nation communities are understandably concerned about how this is to be managed. As a result, methanol is a […]
Finnish naval architects Deltamarin has announced three separate design contracts for pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs), as the segment continues to experience unprecedented growth and demand for more sustainable newbuildings. BYD Auto, China’s largest electric car manufacturer, has ordered 4 x 9,200 CEU PCTCs from China Merchants Industry that will be based on a […]
Archipelago Yachts and Chartwell Marine’s catamaran concept makes a convincing case for an environmentally sound yet long-range leisure vessel, writes Stevie Knight The new Archipelago zero.63 is a methanol fuelled, 18.3m conundrum, combining a number of elements that you wouldn’t necessarily expect in a single vessel. So, how – and why – have very disparate […]
A methanol-hybrid tugboat developed by Glosten and ABB should enable operators to switch to greener operations without any jarring overhauls to procedures, writes Stevie Knight While tugboats’ average hours of operation are low compared to other vessel types – often just 2,000-3,000 hours annually – they still contribute significantly to overall port emissions. With stakeholders […]
A collaboration between engine manufacturer RollsRoyce, injection system supplier Woodward L’Orange and non-profit research institute WTZ Roßlau aims to develop a high-speed maritime internal combustion engine (ICE) capable of running on green methanol (or e-methanol). Working under the ‘MeOHmare’ banner, the project partners hope to have the concept for this ICE nailed down by the […]