Alternative Fuels

Auramarine introduces methanol fuel supply system for marine engines

Receives significant interest in the new units and is in advanced conversations with shipowners, operators, OEMs, and shipyards on supply and installation.

Published

4 years ago

June 2, 2022

Admin

Fuel supply systems manufacturer Auramarine Ltd on Tuesday (31 May) said it has invested in the development of one of the industry’s first Methanol Fuel Supply Units to meet the demand for methanol as a promising future bunker fuel.

The units are suitable for both two-stroke and four-stroke engines and can be adapted to suit the conversion of existing engines to dual-fuel methanol operation.

Auramarine has already received significant interest in the units and is in advanced conversations with shipowners, operators, OEMs, and shipyards on supply and installation, and expects to deliver the first system in 2023.

“Ship owners want to invest in green fuels, but the challenge lies in finding the right solution and inspiring confidence to drive uptake,” said CEO John Bergman.

“At Auramarine, we provide an expert technical review of a vessel or fleet’s fuel supply systems and determine the best possible adaptation of existing equipment to effectively and safely handle methanol and other future fuels such as biofuel and ammonia.”

Methanol is one of the most viable clean bunker fuels, with more than 100 ports worldwide already supplying the fuel. It reduces Greenhouse Gas emissions, and full carbon neutrality can be achieved using green methanol. Methanol also effectively reduces NOx, SOx and Particulate Matter emissions.

Existing fuel oil tanks can be used for storage with little modification, as methanol can be stored at ambient pressure and temperature. Although methanol has lower volumetric energy density than LNG, the tank arrangements for methanol can still fit in a smaller space as no cryogenic or high-pressure infrastructure is required.

Auramarine’s Methanol Fuel Supply Units ensure the safe delivery of methanol from the service tank to the Master Fuel Valve, regulating the flow, pressure and temperature of the methanol to meet the specific requirements of the engine. The system actively maintains the supply pressure within the specified tolerances during load changes and filters the fuel to prevent any impurities from entering the engine.

A pilot fuel system is required for methanol operations in dual fuel engines, and Auramarine has extended its experience of pilot fuel systems for LNG to methanol supply to provide ship owners with single-supplier synergies.

In line with Auramarine’s mantra to provide fuel supply solutions for all types of vessels, the methanol unit can be applied as both a retrofit and for newbuildings.

A dedicated design option for constrained spaces allows the unit to be split into parts for smooth transport and installation, as well as for placing the unit in an optimal location onboard. The most straightforward solution is to install an Auramarine methanol supply unit into an Ex-compliant container on deck, but the system can also be installed in Ex-space below deck as one unit or in several parts, depending on the space available. All units are supplied pre-tested to shorten installation and commissioning times at the shipyard.

“Auramarine is committed to supporting the shipping industry’s roadmap to decarbonisation,” adds Bergman.

“With future fuel uncertainty leading to some ship owners stalling newbuild orders, we need to scrutinise every aspect of the supply process and analyse the supporting fuel supply infrastructure to ensure ship owners are empowered to make the right decision.

“Auramarine’s 40 years of knowledge and expertise has enabled us to develop a blueprint for bringing new fuels online from a fuel supply perspective. We have delivered more than 15,000 fuel supply and auxiliary units all over the world, and we look forward to supporting ship owners further at Posidonia in June.”

Photo credit: Auramarine
Published: 2 June, 2022

Alternative Fuels

Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Following the successful deployment of “ONE Singapore” and its sister vessels, “ONE Solidarity” will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Admin

Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Singapore-based container shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) on Thursday (3 July) said it celebrated the maiden voyage of containership ONE Solidarity as the ship made its first-ever arrival in Shekou, China.

“As one of our S-series methanol and ammonia ready container vessels, ONE Solidarity is another demonstration of ONE’s commitment to sustainable shipping,” the company said in a social media post.

Following the successful deployment of ONE Singapore and its sister vessels, ONE Solidarity will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.

“Her deployment will boost our service capacity, ensuring faster, more reliable, and highly efficient shipping offerings across key global trade lanes,” the company added.

Photo credit: Ocean Network Express
Published: 3 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Following delivery of the ship in China, it will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, strengthening Fratelli Cosulich’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Admin

“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Thursday (2 July) celebrated the delivery of Lucia Cosulich at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China.

The vessel is the second of four sister methanol-ready IMO II bunker tankers developed within the Group’s fleet expansion programme and follows the launching ceremony held on 2 May 2026.

Designed to support the Group’s bunkering operations and future fuel requirements, Lucia Cosulich is part of the new generation of vessels developed by Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy to combine operational reliability, safety and fuel flexibility.

Lucia Cosulich will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, further strengthening the Group’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

“We wish Lucia Cosulich and her crew fair winds on the next stage of her journey,” the company said.

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 3 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026 compared to 155 in the same period in 2025.

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Admin

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Latest data from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed a total of 15 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in June 2026.

This consisted of 10 orders for LNG-fuelled vessels, nine of which were car carriers and one a CO2 carrier. The remaining five orders were for LPG/ethane carriers.

Two LNG-bunker vessels were also ordered in June, bringing the total in this segment to seven so far in 2026.

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026, down 11.6% from 155 in the same period in 2025.

Over half of these (73) were for LNG-fuelled vessels, with most coming from the container (42) and car carrier (21) segments. LPG/ethane carriers were also prominent, with 55 new orders, a significant uptick compared to the first half of 2025 (15). The remaining orders were for vessels fuelled by methanol (2), ethanol (2), ammonia (4), and hydrogen (1).

Deliveries in the first half of the year point to continued uptake of alternative-fuelled tonnage across several segments, with 61 LNG-fuelled vessels and 38 methanol-fuelled vessels delivered so far in 2026.

More recently, Exmar took delivery of what it described as the first oceangoing dual-fuel ammonia vessel, marking a step beyond earlier ammonia-fuelled deliveries, which have largely been associated with pilot or demonstration projects rather than commercial deployment.

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “What we can take away from the first half of 2026, in terms of the alternative-fuels orderbook, is that we have a market progressing at different speeds depending on segment economics, fuel availability, and the regulatory landscape. Shipowners and other stakeholders are pursuing different pathways based on their individual priorities and requirements.

“LNG remains the leading near-term fuel option, with order activity continuing to be led by containers and car carriers. LPG and ethane carriers have also accounted for a significant share of activity in the first half of the year, while developments in areas such as ammonia and ethanol show that multiple pathways continue to be explored.”

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 3 July, 2026