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
Bunker suppliers and ship owners in the meeting were able to provide valuable insights of how the supply chain manages sanctions checking and reporting, says MFA.
Russian oil products ban will affect Europe's diesel supply most acutely, with the continent still relying on Russia for as much as 52% of its diesel imports in November.
Meeting brought together multiple stakeholders from across the global shipping who have an interest in cutting emissions from shipping and tackling climate change.
Total bunker sales at Panama was 465,380 metric tonnes (mt) in November, compared to sales of 363,735 mt during the similar period in 2020.
Liang will be President & CEO of Total Oil Asia Pacific for its Marketing & Services Division, Asia Pacific and Middle East region as well as Singapore’s Country Chair.
Particularly notable for the shipping industry, Arq Fuel offers material benefits as a low-sulphur blending component for IMO 2020 compliant marine fuels.
Transferred shares of 40 subsidiaries to BVI firm after tribunal awarded claims in favour of Trinity Seatrading; YSPL has also filed a civil complaint against DNV and Liberian ship registry at Nanjing Maritime Court.
ADNOC L&S, Gulf Energy Maritime, Cockett Marine Oil, Mideast/Bahri Ship Management and VPS experts present their views on biofuel bunker hurdles at the VPS Biofuels Seminar in Dubai on 16 March.
‘Bunker barges operate in very local areas so these vessels call at port very often which means it will be a good fit for women with families,’ states Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International.
“Our Singapore branch is under preparation and is expected to start business at the republic before June 2023,” Managing Director Darcy Wong tells bunkering publication Manifold Times in an interview.
Development to supply B35 biodiesel blend officially takes effect on 1 February; local bunker suppliers will be able to deliver updated spec within March onwards, once current stocks of B30 avails run out.
VPS, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, and INTERTANKO executives offered a multitude of perspectives to 73 attendees during the VPS Biofuels Seminar, reports Manifold Times.
