Methanol News

Technology group Wärtsilä’s focus on supporting the marine industry’s efforts to decarbonize operations continues to drive concrete steps forward.The latest order is to supply a complete propulsion package for a 38,000 DWT methanol-ready cement carrier vessel. When built, this will be the world’s largest vessel of its type, and the first with a methanol-ready notation. The order has been placed by NovaAlgoma, a joint venture between the Italian Swiss-based, Nova Marine Group and the Canadian Algoma Central Corporation.

DNV has released a competence standard (ST) for methanol and a recommended practice (RP) for ammonia, to enable crew and shipowners to tackle the safety risks and challenges posed by the introduction of new alternative fuels and technologies through shipping’s decarbonization.While new fuels and technologies are key to achieving maritime decarbonization, their adoption necessitates robust safety and competence frameworks.According to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights platform,…

In its sustainability report, Scandlines committed to ferry operations with zero direct emissions by 2040.In support of this, the ferry company has signed an MoU with Caterpillar Motoren to explore the possibilities of converting the current MaK diesel of the Rostock-Gedser hybrid ferries to run on e-methanol. The use of e-methanol produced from renewable energy sources can reduce CO2 emissions by 95% under ideal circumstances.Scandlines already combines three technologies on the Rostock-Gedser route: traditional diesel operation, battery operation and wind power.

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard, part of Fincantieri Group, has secured Lloyd’s Register’s Approval in Principle (AiP) of the methanol fueling system for two offshore wind Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) being built for North Star.With the AiP, the two ships will be amongst the first prepared for conversion to green fuels in the wind market.The CSOVs are of VARD 422 design and are tailor-made for the UK’s infrastructure support vessel operator North Star, with new methanol ready hybrid-propulsion solutions.VARD 4 22 is Vard’s first methanol ready project…

A.P. Moller - Maersk has named its newest dual-fuel methanol container vessel A.P. Møller in honor of Arnold Peter Møller, the founder of A.P. Moller – Maersk.The newbuild is the ninth vessel in Maersk’s fleet capable of operating on methanol.A.P. Møller is part of a series of 18 large dual-fuel methanol vessels scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025. Built at Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea, the 16,592 TEU vessel is the eighth large dual-fuel methanol vessel to join the Maersk fleet in 2024.Arnold Peter Møller (1876-1965) and his father…

Hapag-Lloyd has reached an agreement with China-based Goldwind for the delivery of 250,000 tonnes of green methanol per year, which will lead to savings of up to 400,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions per year.The green methanol will consist of a blend of bio- and e-methanol, ensuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of at least 70%, and comply with all current sustainability certification requirements.By 2030, Hapag-Lloyd aims to reduce the absolute GHG emissions of the fleet by around one third compared to 2022.

This week at MarineLink…The IMO 2020 Sulfur Cap essentially ushered in a new type of fuel - VLSFO. With it came the engine problems caused by off-spec or incompatible fuels as producers grappled with the requirement for providing a sulfur content not exceeding 0.05%. As pointed out in Lloyd’s Register’s 2024 Fuel Quality Report, persistent issues involving cat fines, stability, sulfur content and flash point continue, and isolated incidents of chemical contamination are still occurring.If new…

The International Organization for Standardization has launched the first edition of ISO 6583:2024 – a new standard for methanol as a marine fuel.The document was prepared in cooperation with shipowners, ship operators, national standards bodies, classification societies, fuel testing services, engine and fuel cell designers, marine fuel suppliers, methanol producers, governmental organizations and other technical organizations to meet the requirements for methanol supplied as…

The container ship Maersk Halifax has been converted into a dual-fuel vessel able to operate on methanol. The industry-first retrofit for a large container ship was conducted at the Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China over 88 days with completion at the end of October 2024.Maersk Halifax, which is one of 11 vessels in Maersk’s Hong Kong-class, departed anchorage at the yard on 4 November 2024.The vessel has returned to operation and is now servicing our customers on the Trans-Pacific trade.The engine conversion was done by MAN Energy Solutions.

e1Marine and STAX Engineering have announced a collaborative partnership to advance emissions capture and control technology for ocean-going vessels.The collaboration combines e1Marine’s methanol-to-hydrogen power systems (M2PWR) with STAX’s emissions capture and control technology.e1Marine will install its M2PWR onto STAX’s barges. The system will supplement their onboard power needs to demonstrate that emissions capture and control for maritime vessels can be safe, effective and sustainable.STAX already offers CARB-compliant capture and control technology for some vessel classes.

Danish shipping group A.P.

Danish shipping group A.P. Moller - Maersk has entered into a long-term bio-methanol offtake agreement with LONGi Green Energy Technology for its dual-fuel methanol vessels.The agreement will contribute to lowering GHG emissions from Maersk’s growing fleet of dual-fuel methanol container vessels. LONGi will deliver bio-methanol produced at a facility in Xu Chang, Central China.With the addition of the LONGi volumes, Maersk is making progress in securing enough methanol for its owned dual-fuel methanol fleet of which seven vessels are already in operation.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Engine & Machinery (HHI-EMD) has signed a contract with China Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company and Taiwan’s Evergreen Line to supply 18 methanol dual-fuel HiMSEN engines (7H22CDF-LM) for six 2,400 TEU container ships.HHI-EMD has successfully introduced the eco-friendly methanol HiMSEN engine H32DF-LM (3,000~4,500kW) for ultra-large container ships, with a total of 352 engines ordered and manufactured to date.Following this, the newly developed H22CDF-LM (1…

Singapore-based liner company Ocean Network Express (ONE) has released its Sustainability Report 2024 which indicates that it has achieved a 62% reduction in Scope 1 emissions intensity in FY2023 from a 2008 baseline.These efforts have yielded a 21% reduction in emissions intensity from 2018 to 2023.ONE has also received approval in principle for an ammonia dual vessel along with an investment in 12 13,000 TEU methanol dual-fueled vessels. The newly constructed container ships are slated for delivery in 2027.

A.P. Moller - Maersk on Wednesday held a naming ceremony in the U.K.'s Port of Felixstowe for its latest dual-fuel methanol container vessel, Alexandra Maersk.The newbuild is the the sixth vessel in Maersk’s owned fleet that is capable of running on methanol fuel in its main and auxiliary engines, and the fifth ship in Maersk's series of 18 large dual-fuel methanol vessels scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025—each with more than 16,000 TEU capacity.The new ship Alexandra Maersk is named after Alexandra Mærsk-Møller (1868-1953) who was an older sister of Mr. A.P. Møller, the founder of A.P.

New standards for bunkering methanol and ammonia will be developed by 2024 and 2025 respectively, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Wednesday.The world's largest vessel refueling hub is preparing for higher uptake of alternative bunker fuels, which shippers are considering using to help lower carbon emissions."The standards will cover custody transfer requirements, safety procedures and crew competencies, to ensure safe bunkering operations and handling of these fuels," MPA said in a statement issued during SIBCON 2024.There are currently no detailed standards or estab

Marine towage provider Svitzer announced it has inked a deal Turkish shipbuilder Uzmar to build a world-first battery-methanol tug for scheduled delivery in the second half of 2025.Designed in collaboration with naval architect Robert Allan Ltd, the first-of-its-kind tug will be based on Svitzer’s TRAnsverse tug design and feature a 6MWh battery supported by dual fuel methanol engines for back-up and range extension.The 34.9-meter escort duty tug is expected to conduct more than…

Finland-based Valmet has been selected CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in China to deliver automation solutions for methanol fuel conversion projects aboard two CMA 9300SHI container ships.The vessels will be upgraded at CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in China for the French operator CMA CGM.The delivery includes applying a methanol control system and a methanol safety system.The order, whose value has not been disclosed, was included in Valmet’s orders received of the second quarter 2024.“This is Valmet’s first automation retrofit order in the Chinese marine market.

The Alette Maersk was the first container vessel powered by low-carbon methanol fuel to cross the Pacific Ocean - a milestone in the shipping industry's effort to reduce its climate impact.But when the 1,148-foot (350-meter) vessel arrived at the Port of Los Angeles from China last week, there was nowhere in the U.S. to buy more of the green fuel, forcing it to rely heavily on petroleum-based maritime fuel for the return trip.At a day-long ship naming event on Tuesday, A.P. Moller…

Fugro has completed the primary phase in its first vessel conversion to green methanol fuel.The Fugro Pioneer is ready to be equipped with methanol engines after successfully converting the main components on board.The now-completed vessel adjustments to the Fugro Pioneer allow two of its four original engines to be replaced by methanol engines, ensuring services can still be offered in regions where green methanol is not yet available. The delivery and installation of the methanol capable engines are expected in the second half of 2024.

The Methanol Institute (MI) has been granted consultative status by the IMO.Consultative status is reserved for non-governmental, international organizations that have the capability to make a substantial contribution to the work of IMO. MI will now be able to attend meetings as an observer and offer expert input on discussions in plenary and working groups.MI aims to use its consultative status to work more closely with member countries to establish robust regulatory frameworks for low-carbon shipping fuels…

NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers is timer chartering a methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier after reaching an agreement with Kambara Kisen.The 65,700dwt vessel is currently under construction at Tsuneishi Shipbuilding and is scheduled for delivery in spring 2025. This ship will be the first methanol-fueled bulk carrier operated by the NYK Group.The ultramax vessel’s primary fuels are expected to be bio-methanol and e-methanol as it transports various cargoes including grain and ore.

A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) is in the process of signing newbuilding orders and time-charter contracts for LNG dual-fuel container ships.The new orders for 50-60 vessels will match its planned renewal pace of around 160,000 TEU per year.The new orders are a continuation of its fleet renewal program initiated in 2021 which has seen orders placed for 25 methanol dual-fuel vessels, five in service and 20 on order providing around 350,000 TEU of dual-fuel capacity.The exact split…