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Introduction

The maritime sector is facing a major challenge. While a globally growing economy leads to more demand for transport of goods, the goals from the Paris climate agreement and the subsequent agreement in IMO require a significant reduction of CO2-emissions from maritime transport by 2050. Several parties are working on the development of new fuel types for shipping, such as methanol, hydrogen, ammonia, various biofuels and battery-electric. There is great uncertainty about the best option for the short and longer term, and what the best options are for different ship segments.

Within the Green Maritime Methanol project, a sector wide consortium of partners investigates the feasibility of application of methanol as a marine fuel. The following topics for applying methanol as an energy carrier for shipping have been elaborated in this project:

  • Overall technical and operational:
    • Investigation of different options for applying methanol in a ship engine,
    • Safe storage and handling of methanol on board, and
    • Bunkering safety and operations.
  • Economic and environmental viability:
    • Overall market potential of application of methanol,
    • Investigation of different production and supply chain routes, and
    • Effect of different production routes on emissions,
  • Translation of these overall results into different shipping markets:
    • Detailed ship design based on the specific technical layout and operational profile for different vessel types, and
    • Business Cases for applying methanol for these different vessels.

The outcomes of the study have been presented in several project deliverables and summarized in several management reports. The consortium concluded that applying methanol as a shipping fuel is feasible from a technical and operational perspective, and that there are several options for sustainable production of methanol from sources such as biomass, municipal waste and through a synthetic production from hydrogen and a sustainable carbon source. From several methanol ship designs that were performed as part of the project, it was concluded that there are significant differences in the redesign costs of different vessel types. Important factors are the current layout and available space onboard and the preferred fuelling solution (either switch to methanol as single fuel option or as a dual fuel).

Stakeholders in the consortium appreciate the multidisciplinary approach and express their interest in continuation of the project. The consortium has identified four main topics for further development:

  • There are some remaining safety and ship design issues that need to be tackled. This includes solution for venting during the bunker and ventilation during operations on board.
  • Additional knowledge is needed on the engine performance of both spark-ignited and direct injection in a compression ignited engine. These tests should be performed in several engine types.
  • More real-life experience is needed with application of methanol in operational circumstances for different vessel types. Therefore, more pilot projects are needed.
  • There are still uncertainties concerning the availability and pricing of sustainable methanol. Additional research is needed in setting up different supply chains. Because policies and legislation are very important in the steps towards implementation, results will be discussed with policy makers.

The main aim of the project is to bring the technology from TRL 5/6 to TRL 7/8.

Our consortium

The Green Maritime Methanol project brings together a wide set of stakeholders in order to bring extensive experience and knowledge for the different topics. The following partners participated actively in the consortium:

  • Major shipowners and the associate carrier organisation,
  • Shipbuilding companies,
  • Major marine engine manufacturers together with their trade association,
  • Marine systems designers, equipment suppliers and maritime service providers,
  • Class societies,
  • Research Institutes, supported by the Maritime Knowledge Centre.

The consortium is working in close relation with other national and international initiatives on development of alternative energy carriers for the maritime sector including the National Growth Fund, the validation initiative as part of the Dutch Green Deal and initiatives as part of the Dutch R&D arrangement for the Mobility Sectors.