Methanol News

A methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from KAMBARA KISEN was delivered at the TSUNEISHI Factory in Japan.At the naming ceremony, held on May 13, Yuko Tsutsui, Managing Executive Officer and Chief Executive of Sustainability & Transformation Headquarters of NYK, named the vessel Green Future.The vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.Methanol has a lower environmental impact than fuel oil…

SCHOTTEL is equipping the world's first large purpose-built dual-fuel methanol escort tugs based on the Robert Allan Ltd. RASalvor 4400-DFM design for towage company KOTUG Canada with rudderpropellers featuring the mechanical hybrid solution SYDRIVE-M. The tugs—to be named SD Aisemaht and SD Qwiy Aanitsa Sarah—are currently in the final stages of construction at Turkish Sanmar Shipyards. After their completion in Q3 2025, they will service Canada’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project…

Japan's Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said the Tsuneishi Group (Zhoushan) Shipbuilding Inc. - its shipbuidling factory in China -  has completed the first block loading for its first Methanol-Fueled 5,900-TEU Type Container Carrier earlier this month.The 5,900-EU type container carrier is the largest container carrier built by Tsuneishi Shipbuidling Group. This vessel has a maximum capacity of 5,915 20-foot-equivalent-unit containers in the hold and on deck, and up to 1,400 reefer containers can also be loaded in response to increased demand in recent years.

The maritime industry has worked with a single fuel source for over a century and with the rush to meet emission standards in both domestic and foreign markets, adapting to the current list of alternative fuels is going to present significant problems. Each market has its issues whether bluewater, brownwater, coastal, foreign or domestic.Chose any of the larger global shipbuilding yards and the basic bluewater ship design will include a large two stroke combustion engine.To remove…

China's first integrated offshore hydrogen-ammonia-methanol project, which will produce clean fuels for ships, has entered the trial operation phase in Yantai, in eastern Chinse province of Shandong.Jointly developed by CHN Energy Hydrogen Energy Technology, CIMC Raffles and Guoneng Hydrogen Innovation Technology (Beijing), the initiative represents the nation’s first comprehensive demonstration project for offshore hydrogen production, storage, transportation and utilization…

On April 4, NYK concluded a contract for the construction and charter of a very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) equipped with a dual-fuel methanol main engine, a first for the NYK VLCC fleet.The vessel, which will feature a large shaft generator, will be constructed by Nippon Shipyard and engaged in a long-term charter for Idemitsu Tanker.The Malaccamax VLCC was designed in collaboration with Idemitsu Tanker, IINO Kaiun Kaisha and Nippon Shipyard.Principal Particulars:Length Overall: 339.5mBreadth: 60.0mScantling Draught: 21mDeadweight at Scantling Draught: Approx.

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for retrofitted methanol dual fuel Kamsarmax bulk carrier developed by TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING and Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon ShippingThe AiP is for the design concept of a retrofitted Kamsarmax bulk carrier, converting it from conventional fuel to methanol dual-fuel, jointly developed by TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING and Fonden Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.The certification demonstrates the regulatory feasibility of the ship…

The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping has gained Approval in Principle (AiP) from ClassNK for the retrofitting of a conventionally fueled Kamsarmax bulk carrier to dual fuel methanol.Led in collaboration with Japanese shipbuilder Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, the project assessed the techno-economic feasibility of a retrofit from fuel oil to dual fuel methanol, establishing a model that could pave the way for a broader green transition within the medium size bulk carrier sector.With Kamsarmax bulk carriers representing a significant share of the existing fleet…

MPC Container Ships (MPCC), in partnership with North Sea Container Line (NCL) and Elkem, have christened the NCL VESTLAND, the first of two dual-fuel 1,300 TEU newbuildings to be delivered in 2025The ceremony marks the start of the vessel’s service between Western, Central and Northern Norway and Rotterdam.The container feeder vessel is the first of two MPCC dual-fuel 1,300 TEU newbuildings to be delivered in 2025, and is also the first dual-fuel vessel in the MPCC fleet which enables operation on methanol.The vessels come with 15-year time charters to NCL…

Latest figures from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform indicate that a total of 25 new orders were placed for alternative-fueled vessels in March 2025.Methanol was the biggest activity driver, accounting for 12 of these new orders. This was spread across diverse segments, with cruise vessels and car carriers accounting for three each, one offshore vessel, one bulk carrier, and the remainder crude oil/chemical tankers.Seven orders were placed for LNG-fueled vessels…

CIMAC has released a new guideline titled “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – ISO 6583:2024: Methanol as a Fuel for Marine Applications – General Requirements and Specifications.”CIMAC is the leading global non-profit association promoting the development of ship propulsion, train drive and power generation. The association consists of national member associations and corporate members in America, Asia and Europe.The new FAQ document addresses 32 frequently asked questions across six sections.It follows the publication of ISO 6583:2024 in November 2024…

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has received additional orders for three methanol-fueled roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo ships from Toyofuji Shipping, Miyazaki Sangyo Kaiun, and Nichitoku Kisen.The three ships will be built at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture, with scheduled completion and delivery in order from fiscal 2028.The ships will be approximately 168.0 meters in overall length and 30.2 meters in breadth…

The shipping industry has been watching the dual-fuel engine choices made for newbuildings as an indicator of what many see as an uncertain fuel future.In December, DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights platform counted 27 ammonia and 322 methanol-fueled vessels currently on the orderbooks.Methanol has raced ahead of ammonia, which currently lags in both engine and regulatory development.As the years tick by, 2025 is here and 2030 is rapidly approaching, eyes are now turning to the existing fleet – to the potential for engine retrofits. Again, methanol is ahead of ammonia.

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.

Singapore, the world’s largest bunker hub for ships, has launched a new standard for methanol bunkering, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Monday.The move is aimed at helping to facilitate methanol bunkering at scale as the shipping industry continues to explore alternative fuels for dirty conventional fuel.A new technical reference (TR129) on methanol bunkering has been published to provide a framework for safe and efficient use of methanol as an alternative in bunkering operations, said MPA.Singapore completed the world’s first ship-to-container methanol bunkering op

Recently, MarineNews sat down with Will Watson, Caterpillar Marine’s Product Manager, to discuss its rapidly emerging methanol engine development. Caterpillar Marine has already taken a considerable step forward in sustainability by planning to offer an upgrade kit for its methanol-fueled, dual-fuel Cat 3500E series engines. The immediate and long-term goal is to quicken the maritime industry transition to renewable energy.The initiative, announced at an international tug & salvage trade event…

MAN Energy Solutions' MAN 7L21/31DF-M (dual fuel-methanol) genset has successfully passed its Type Approval Test in China.The test was carried out in close cooperation with CSSC Marine Power (CMP) – the MAN Energy Solutions licensee – at CMP’s production facility in Zhenjiang and received approval from all major classification societies present at the event.The basis for the new methanol engine concept is the MAN 21/31 Mk II type that is part-load optimized with a world-best specific fuel-oil consumption in the 1–2MW range.

Norwegian shipowner MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has taken delivery of its first dual-fueled methanol container ship newbuilding from Chinese-based shipyard Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering.This is the first of the two dual-fuel methanol container ships up for delivery from the Chinese shipayrds, which are secured by 15-year time charter agreements with North Sea Container Line (NCL).The vessels feature dual-fuel engines that enable operation on green methanol, and according to MPCC, the methanol use will reduce the CO2 emissions from the vessels by up to 95%.“This innovative vessel embarks on a 1

Swiss marine power company WinGD’s first methanol-fueled engine is to be delivered to shipyard after passing factory and type approval tests, ahead of installation in 16,000 TEU container ship.The ten-cylinder, 92 bore X-DF-M engine is said to be the biggest methanol-fueled engine built to date.There are 56 X-DF-M engines on order across bore sizes ranging from 52 to 92, in similar cylinder configurations and engine rating fields as diesel-fueled X-Engines.The addition of methanol…

German shipyard Meyer Werft has launched the zero4cruise project with project partners including Freudenberg e-Power Systems and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).The project aims to develop climate-friendly and low emission energy systems for cruise ships, focusing on fuel cell technology powered by green methanol.The hybrid energy system will combine PEM fuel cells with a methanol reformer and battery systems to optimize efficiency and ensure ships can operate carbon-neutral…

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,…

Finland-based Valmet has booked an order for a marine methanol fuel automation control system for two cable-laying vessels (CLVs) being built for Jan de Nul in China.The vessels will be built in the China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) shipyard for Jan De Nul, a company providing engineering solutions in maritime and offshore energy infrastructure and construction projects.The value of the order will not be disclosed.“Valmet has experience in green fuel supply system control.

A.P. Moller - Maersk celebrated the name-giving of its newest dual-fuel methanol container vessel in Mumbai on February 28 as a part of the vessel’s maiden voyage to India. The vessel, named Albert Maersk, is the eleventh vessel in Maersk’s fleet capable of operating on methanol.“India is among the world's fastest-growing major economies, with a thriving manufacturing sector, a booming e-commerce industry, and expanding exports. Shipping and logistics are high on India’s priorities…