Waterfront Adds Methanol-Fuelled Vessels

The marine transportation company Waterfront Shipping Company has added two new innovative, clean-burning vessels, M/T Mari Couva and M/T Mari Kokako, to its fleet.

Both 49,000 dwt vessels are built with the second generation of MAN B&W ME-LGIM two stroke dual-fuel engines that can run on both methanol and conventional marine fuels, said the wholly owned subsidiary of Methanex Corporation.

The vessels join the seven existing methanol-fueled vessels chartered by Waterfront Shipping that have received accolades from the marine industry for their use of methanol as an alternative fuel.

These existing vessels have surpassed more than 50,000 operating hours running on methanol in compliance with IMO 2020 emissions regulations.

The two new vessels – together with an additional two vessels that will be delivered to Waterfront Shipping by year-end – are also able to meet IMO Tier III emissions standards without the need for exhaust gas after treatment.

“We are very excited by the performance of our first seven methanol-fueled vessels that have proven the safety and reliability of the technology. With this second generation of vessels, we will benefit from innovative technological advances that will continue to optimize performance and efficiency,” says Paul Hexter, President, Waterfront Shipping Ltd.

 “On an energy-equivalent basis, methanol is cost competitive over energy price cycles and we see significant value creation opportunities from using a methanol flex-fuel engine. We are proud that approximately 40 percent of our fleet will be powered by methanol-fuel technology by the end of the year,”  he added.

Methanol is one of the world’s most widely traded chemicals and is available globally at major ports, providing a cost-effective solution to meet the needs of shipowners today.