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ScandiNAOS and partners to develop methanol conversion kits for diesel engines

ScandiNAOS, Chalmers University of Technology and SMA launched a project to develop dual-fuel kits for conversion of new and existing diesel engines to methanol operation.
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Marine design and engine developer ScandiNAOS AB, Chalmers University of Technology and the Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) on Monday (20 February) said they have launched a project to develop dual-fuel kits for conversion of new and existing diesel engines to methanol operation.

The methanol dual-fuel kit is unique since it will be generic and capable for retrofit to a large range of existing diesel engines of different brands. The kit will target engines up to 1000 kW and will accelerate the transition to low emission fuel and sustainable operations for marine and industrial applications.

The project has a 24-month duration and a budget of SEK8,600,000 with 50% funding by the Swedish program for Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation, (FFI). Leading methanol producer Proman AG and the Methanol Institute are providing industry funding.

The project will see ScandiNAOS develop and implement a dual fuel kit in a pilot boat owned and operated by the SMA. The SMA already operates a methanol-powered pilot boat equipped with a single fuel compression ignited methanol engine which completed successful trials in December 2021, a conversion supported by the FASTWATER consortium programme.

The adoption of dual-fuel kits will enable conversion of more ships and boats more quickly, since a conversion kit can be cost-efficiently applied to existing engines while maintaining the fuel flexibility to run on either methanol, MGO or HVO.

The SMA has a target to remove fossil fuels from its fleet by 2045. Methanol as a fuel for combustion engines provides a number of opportunities for engine optimisation. Chalmers University of Technology has assigned a Postdoctoral research position for the duration of the project to develop and test advanced combustion strategies to be applied in the next generation of methanol single and dual fuel engines.

The pilot boat is expected to be ready for field trials in Q3 2023, a process which will go on for 9-12 months during which the dual-fuel kit will be tuned and optimised based on operational experience and from the results of the research and laboratory tests carried out by Chalmers University.

Bengt Ramne, Manager Director ScandiNAOS AB: “We are excited to get a chance to apply a dual fuel kit on an SMA pilot boat and continue the great co-operation with the Swedish Maritime Administration to reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet.”

Albert Hagander, Technical Manager, Swedish Maritime Administration: “The SMA is glad to be a part of the project that may open a new door towards fossil-free operation.”

Dr. Lucien Koopmans, Professor, Head of Division of Energy Conversion and Propulsion Systems, Chalmers University of Technology, said: “A quick and powerful transition towards a decarbonized transport future starts with conversion of the existing fleet.”

Peter Schild, Managing Director Sustainability, Proman, said : “We are pleased to support this important initiative, which will enable the use of methanol as a cleaner alternative fuel for a broad range of vessel classes. This project means that methanol could be used to affordably reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions across ports and inland waterways in the near-term.”

Greg Dolan, CEO The Methanol Institute, said : “The Methanol Institute is delighted to be co-sponsoring this project which builds on the successful 2021 trials and will establish a practical process for the conversion to dual-fuel methanol operations safely and at reasonable cost.”

 

Photo credit: ScandiNAOS AB
Published: 21 February, 2023

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Methanol

OOCL dual-fuel boxship completes first green methanol bunkering op at Qingdao Port

“OOCL Wisdom” completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage to Europe at Qingdao Port on 3 July.

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OOCL dual-fuel boxship completes first green methanol bunkering op at Qingdao Port

​International container transportation and logistics company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) on Friday (3 July) said its first methanol dual-fuel containership, OOCL Wisdom, completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage at Qingdao Port.

OOCL Wisdom is the first in a series of seven methanol dual-fuel container vessels. With a maximum capacity of 24,168 TEU, it is currently the world’s largest methanol dual‑fuel container vessel and is deployed on the Asia – North Europe Loop 1 (LL1) service.

Mr. Peter Pan, Director of Trades of OOCL, said: “OOCL Wisdom completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage to Europe at Qingdao Port, representing a significant achievement of the deepening collaboration between OOCL and Shandong Port Group, and reflecting OOCL’s steadfast commitment to green and low‑carbon development, digital intelligence and sustainability.”

 

Photo credit: Orient Overseas Container Line
Published: 6 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Zhejiang Province wraps up first cross-regional bonded LNG bunkering operation

“Hai Yang Shi You 302” supplied container ship “MSC Maria Laura” with 3,500 cubic meters of bonded LNG at Chuanshan Port Area, after the bunkering vessel received bonded LNG in Zhoushan.

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Zhejiang Province wraps up first cross-regional bonded LNG bunkering operation

Zhejiang Province on Saturday (27 June) completed its first cross-regional bonded LNG bunkering operation at Chuanshan Port Area of ​​Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, according to Hangzhou Customs. 

Bunkering vessel Hai Yang Shi You 302 travelled to ENN Zhoushan LNG receiving terminal to load bonded LNG. The vessel then supplied container ship MSC Maria Laura with 3,500 cubic meters of bonded LNG at Chuanshan Port Area. 

Zhejiang Province wraps up first cross-regional bonded LNG bunkering operation

Compared with the traditional single-port bunkering model, the cross-regional operation removes the geographical barriers between Zhoushan’s gas supply and bunkering demand in Ningbo’s core port area, enabling cross-port LNG transfer within the province.

“The new operating model addresses longstanding constraints associated with the geographical limitations of LNG supply reloading and tight operational time windows,” said Chen Bangkui, Business Manager at CNOOC Zhejiang New Energy Co Ltd. 

“We can now flexibly source bonded LNG from both Zhoushan and Ningbo, significantly improving operational flexibility and efficiency.”

 

Photo credit: Hangzhou Customs
Published: 6 July, 2026

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Battery

ICCT: China’s electric cargo ship fleet grows 950% in three years

In its latest blog, ICCT says vessel sizes for electric cargo ships have grown significantly, indicating that China is testing the feasibility of electrification for increasingly larger ships.

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July 6, 2026

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The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) recently said China’s fleet of electric cargo ships has grown by 950%, from just four vessels in 2022 to 42 in 2025.

According to its latest blog, electrification is rapidly expanding along inland waterways in the country, offering a pathway to cut emissions, improve air quality, and lower operating costs.

ICCT said electric cargo ships are entering real-world operation at a rapidly growing pace

“Ship types have diversified, from bulk carriers and container ships to multi-purpose cargo ships. At the same time, vessel sizes have grown significantly, with the maximum deadweight tonnage (DWT) rising from around 3,000 tonnes in 2022 to approximately 14,000 tonnes in 2025,” it said.

“This indicates that China is testing the feasibility of electrification for increasingly larger ships.”

Although battery capacity constraints continue to limit sailing range per charge—which typically hovered between 150 km and 400 km from 2022 to 2025—trends show steady improvement; by 2025, electric cargo ships with a range of up to 500 km were already in operation in China.

Inland waterways have become the primary testing ground for electric cargo ship deployment. 

By the end of 2025, 86% of electric cargo ships in China were operating on internal rivers. 

“Nine provinces and municipalities have already launched pilot projects, covering major waterways such as the Yangtze River, the Pearl River, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal,” ICCT added.

The blog also explored the opportunities, challenges, and policy actions that could accelerate the shift to electric inland shipping.

“Developing an enhanced subsidy that favors electric vessels, on top of the current vessel trade-in subsidy program, could help reduce the upfront investment burden for electric vessel adoption,” it recommended.

ICCT added that tightening ship engine emission standards toward world-leading levels could increase the compliance costs of conventional-fuel vessels and improve the relative competitiveness of electric ships.

“The electrification of inland shipping in China is already underway; what is needed now is smart policy to accelerate the transition,” it said.

 

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Published: 6 July, 2026

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