Methanol

Cummins methanol vessel retrofit kit scores UK funding

Cummins announced the selection of its proposal to jointly develop a Methanol Kit for its QSK60 engine as part of ZEVI competition, funded by UK Government and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2023

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Cummins Inc on Wednesday (8 November) announced the selection of its proposal to jointly develop a Methanol Kit for its QSK60 engine as part of the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, funded by the UK Government and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.

To be chosen as one of the top 10 projects, Cummins delivered a proposal to collaborate with a major UK port and operators to develop, deploy and operate clean maritime technology solutions on the path to decarbonization and reduction to the overall greenhouse gas footprint.

The £4.4 million (USD 5.4 million) in total funding will be leveraged by Cummins and its fellow project stakeholders — Ocean Infinity, the Aberdeen Harbour Board, and Proman AG — in the deployment of a UK-designed and built methanol conversion kit for a high-horsepower marine internal combustion engine, offering the UK an important foothold in enabling the transition to cleaner maritime fuels.

Upon completion in the second quarter of 2025, the project targets a reduction in CO2 emissions of 50 percent for offshore operations of the vessel with NOx, SOx and PM at levels considerably below those emitted by conventional fuel. Furthermore, all retrofitted dual-fuel engines will achieve compliance with IMO Tier III emission standards.

“Cummins is honoured to be selected by the UK Government in support of this dual fuel project that aligns well with our bridge technologies strategy,” said Mark Bargent, Cummins Technology Architecture and Planning Director.

“We remain committed to helping the maritime sector reach its goal of 50 percent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as required by the IMO. To get there, ship builders need a roadmap for their decarbonization plans.”

“This project, with its focus on the conversion of existing engine installations, offers a seamless transition between today and the future builds of new, cleaner technology ships,” added Molly Puga Cummins Executive Director – Strategy, Product Planning & Digital.

“It dismisses the need for a major vessel overhaul and creates an immediate positive impact on carbon emissions reduction in all environmental and operating conditions, ultimately helping the maritime sector meet our global climate needs.”

As part of the consortium, Ocean Infinity will provide one of its Armada 78m lean-crewed hybrid offshore service vessels for Cummins to design, develop, and test the dual fuel HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) and methanol technology. Earlier in Q3, Cummins had announced the approval of unblended paraffinic fuels — often referred to as renewable diesel including HVO — in all its high horsepower engines for all industrial applications.

The Port of Aberdeen — with a strong ambition to become Scotland’s premier net zero port — offers its world-class facilities and services for testing the vessels, while Proman AG lends its long-standing global expertise in methanol production and leading development of ultra-low carbon methanol production.

Ocean Infinity’s Chief Technology Officer Josh Broussard, said: “Ocean Infinity exists to use innovative technology to transform operations at sea for the benefit of people and the planet. This project forms part of our wider future fuels strategy targeting a transition from traditional energy sources to low carbon alternatives to ultimately minimise the environmental impact of our ship operations. Our strategy includes advanced biofuels, such as HVO and methanol, to bridge the gap before eventually developing ammonia in the future.”

Photo credit: Cummins
Published: 14 November, 2023

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Alternative Fuels

South Korea launches USD 696 million green bunker fuel infrastructure fund

Out of KRW 1 trillion, KRW 600 billion will be invested to build port storage facilities capable of supplying alternative marine fuels while KRW 400 billion will be used for constructing four bunkering vessels.

Published

16 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Admin

South Korea launches USD 696 million green bunker fuel infrastructure fund

South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Korea Ocean Business Corporation recently held a launch ceremony in Seoul for a KRW 1 trillion (USD 696 million) infrastructure fund that will be used to support the development of storage facilities for green marine fuels and bunkering vessels.

Out of the KRW 1 trillion, KRW 600 billion will be invested to build port storage facilities capable of supplying LNG, methanol, and ammonia, and the remaining KRW 400 billion will be invested in constructing four new LNG and ammonia bunkering vessels by 2030.

The move is expected to meet growing demand for green bunker fuels for domestic vessels and ensure reliable fuel supplies for foreign ships calling at domestic ports.

The ministry also announced that the Ulsan Hyundai Liquid Cargo Terminal Expansion Project was selected as the new fund’s first project to support the demand for methanol bunker fuel for domestic and foreign vessels. The total cost of the project is KRW 240 billion, of which KRW 130 billion will be provided by the infrastructure fund.

In addition, the government plans to strengthen LNG supply capabilities through the Yeosu Myodo LNG Hub Terminal Project scheduled as the second project to be supported by the fund.

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung, said: “Through the infrastructure fund, the government will flexibly expand the eco-friendly ship fuel supply infrastructure in line with future demand so that our ports can continue to secure a competitive edge as a global hub port.”

Photo credit: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of South Korea
Published: 22 January, 2025

Methanol

Singapore-based Global Energy, Towngas to develop green methanol bunker fuel supply chain

Both inked a memorandum of understanding to jointly advance supply and distribution of green methanol as a marine fuel for the shipping industry.

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2025

Admin

Singapore-based Global Energy, Towngas to develop green methanol bunker fuel supply chain

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) on Monday (20 January) said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (M0U) with Singapore accredited bunker supplier Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd (Global Energy) to jointly advance the supply and distribution of green methanol as a marine fuel for the shipping industry.

The strategic collaboration between Towngas and Global Energy integrates production and logistics capabilities to provide end users with a holistic, end-to-end solution at major and regional ports.

The two parties will leverage complementary strengths to develop comprehensive green methanol supply solutions across Asia.

Mr Sham Man-fai, Chief Operating Officer – Green Fuels & Chemicals of Towngas, said: “This partnership represents a significant milestone in the green transition of maritime fuel supply.”

“By combining Towngas’s strengths in green methanol production with Global Energy’s supply chain management and market operation expertise, we are creating a robust platform to accelerate the shipping industry's decarbonisation journey.”

Mr Loh Hong-leong, Managing Director of Global Energy, said, “This collaboration is synergy in motion; together we are creating a one-stop bunkering solution to ensure green methanol is more accessible to the maritime industry.”

“Beyond supply, we could offer advisory on compliance and in managing the benefits of using green methanol.”

Towngas' methanol production plant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia

Towngas’s methanol production plant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, employing proprietary technology to convert biomass and municipal waste into green methanol, is the first enterprise on the Chinese mainland to achieve ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS certifications for green methanol.

The company has outlined expansion plans to establish additional production bases across China, including in Inner Mongolia, the Greater Bay Area, and Hainan, with the goal of achieving an annual production capacity of 1 million tonnes of green fuel and chemical supplies.

Global Energy, the first company in Singapore to own and operate dedicated bunkering tankers for methanol, has already conducted several methanol bunkering operations in the region. Global Energy delivered over 4.7 million metric tonnes (mt) of marine fuels in 2024.

Photo credit: Hong Kong and China Gas Company
Published: 21 January, 2025

Alternative Fuels

Fratelli Cosulich orders another methanol-ready bunker tanker from Chinese shipyard

Firm placed an order for another methanol-ready chemical bunkering tanker, designed to carry fuel oil, biofuels up to B100, and methanol, with Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipbuilding.

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2025

Admin

Fratelli Cosulich Group on Monday (20 January) said it has placed an order for another methanol-ready chemical bunkering tanker with Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipbuilding.

The 7,999 dwt IMO Type II chemical bunkering tanker is designed to carry fuel oil, biofuels up to B100, and methanol.

“The delivery of this methanol-ready vessel is scheduled for Q4 2026,” it said in a statement.

With this latest order, the total number of methanol-ready barges in the company’s fleet will increase to four.

“We strongly believe in a multi-energy future and are dedicated to staying ahead of the curve with the latest developments and technological innovations in the shipping industry,” it added.

Manifold Times previously reported Fratelli Cosulich placing an order for two advanced methanol-ready chemical bunkering tankers with the same shipbuilder.

The company ordered its first methanol dual-fuelled chemical bunker tanker on 15 December 2023. The vessel will be delivered in the last quarter of 2025 and will be located at the Port of Singapore under a contract with global commodities trader Trafigura.