IWAI Orders Six Methanol-Fuelled Vessels

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has planned to retrofit its work boats with green fuel and also placed orders with Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) for procuring six new vessels, based on methanol mix.

CSL will get the work done by Hooghly Dock and Port Engineers Ltd (HDPEL) in Howrah, with which it has formed a joint venture, said sources.

The PTI reported that IWAI has also planned to retrofit its work boats with green fuel.

The shipyard has a tie-up with Sweden based company which is a leading entity in the use of methanol for marine fuel, he said, adding that the Cochin Shipyard would retrofit boats at its facility in Kolkata.

The nodal agency for inland waterways will use the clean-burning fuel for the barges sailing up National Waterway 1, between Haldia and Varanasi, said sources.

The PTI report quoted  IWAI's Vice Chairman Pravir Pandey as saying that the etrofitting job would commence in January, 2019. The newly ordered six vessels, based on methanol, are ranging from 1,000-2,000 tonnes capacity and designed by Germany's DST.

Pandey said the methanol-based vessels would require refuelling on its way as the storage on vessels is limited and cannot be ramped up because it would reduce cargo handling space.