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Costa Group and Proman join forces to drive methanol as bunker fuel in cruise industry

17 Feb 2023

Costa Group, part of Carnival Corporation and Europe’s cruise operator with its two brands Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, and methanol producer Proman have signed an MOU to drive further the implementation of methanol as a marine fuel for the cruise industry, according to the latter on Thursday (16 February). 

The partnership aims to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonisation of the existing fleet by enhancing the supply of sustainable methanol, paving the way for the retrofitting of existing vessels to operate on clean fuel, as well as investment in further methanol-fuelled new builds.

Today’s MOU reaffirms methanol’s potential to play a key role in the ongoing reduction of GHG emissions of the cruise sector and other shipping segments, Proman said in a statement. 

“The technology to retrofit a vessel to accept methanol as a fuel is available today. Our methanol products can facilitate the transition to low carbon intensity fuels. Methanol-powered vessels have a proven track record of reducing and eliminating major greenhouse gas emissions, delivering immediate air quality improvements around major ports and shipping lanes,” said Tim Cornelius, Proman’s Managing Director of Corporate Development.

“We are excited to bring our expertise along the full methanol value chain to help deliver on Costa Group’s bold ambitions.”

Over the years, Costa Group has introduced liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion for emission reduction with four ships already in service in the Costa Group fleet. The majority of Costa Group ships are equipped with shore power capabilities to be zero emissions in ports where the technology is available, and the company has also performed the first tests on biofuels. 

“We are reducing the carbon footprint of our fleet while at port and at sea, investing in advanced environmental technologies and partnering with companies such as Proman who share a passion for sustainable energy transition. By enabling cruise ships to use methanol as a propulsion fuel, Costa follows the ambition to take the next big step towards GHG neutral operations of our fleet by 2050,” said Dr. Christoph Schladoer, VP Decarbonisation Costa Group.

 

Photo credit: Costa Group and Proman
Published: 17 February, 2023

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