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Damen wins class and flag states approval for methanol-fuelled workboats

By working closely firstly with Bureau Veritas and later with the Dutch and Belgian flag authorities as well, Damen can now offer designs for a wide range of methanol-powered workboats.

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Dutch shipbuilding company Damen on Wednesday (11 October) said it has won Approval in Principle (AiP) for designs of methanol-powered workboats from the classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) and Dutch and Belgian flag authorities.

Starting in the summer of 2022 and working closely from the outset with BV, Damen has developed and gained AiP for designs of methanol-powered compact vessels. LNG carriers set the standards for this type of fuel, but their size has resulted in rules that are very different to those required by much smaller vessels. A new design approach was needed to make them applicable for workboats.

By working closely firstly with BV and later with the Dutch and Belgian flag authorities as well, Damen can now offer designs for a wide range of methanol-powered workboats. These range from tugs, stationary dredgers and high-speed vessels to fast crew suppliers, pilot boats, stan patrols and fast ferries, as and when the engines for these types of vessels are available.

The framework lays out the design modifications that are required to ensure that the methanol-powered workboats have standards of safety at least equal to their diesel-fuelled equivalents. Part of the process involved identifying existing rules that were not applicable to smaller vessels so they could be replaced with alternative solutions, and then identifying and analysing the risks. The Damen team also had an additional goal; to develop standardised solutions that could be used across the workboat portfolio.

The initial proposals were presented to Bureau Veritas and thereafter changes were implemented in a back-and-forth process. With the collaboration with Bureau Veritas working well, Damen brought on board the flag states of the Netherlands and Belgium on the basis that flag states would need to give their own approvals before vessels can be built. The Netherlands and Belgium were selected as among the most likely early adopters of sustainable workboats.

The next stage was the establishment of a Hazard Identification Workshop. Chaired by an independent expert, solutions were presented, alternative designs proposed, and additional measures and safeguards identified where required. Obtaining the input of all the key stakeholders at a relatively early stage helped reduce the time required to implement all the changes and so achieve approval in principle in a relatively short time.

Pieter Spruijt, Technical Specialist Alternative Fuels and Damen System Owner Methanol Systems, said: “We are very pleased to now have the approvals in principle.One of the interesting outcomes of the design process is that the methanol storage and fuel systems will take up less space than they would have under the prescriptive rules.”

“Small vessels present a real challenge with space at such a premium, but our designs will not only keep the vessels compact, they will also be more sustainable as they will not require additional inputs when being built. This is another step forward in Damen’s ambition to be the world’s most sustainable shipbuilder.” 

Herman Spilker, Bureau Veritas’s Vice President North Europe, said: “Bureau Veritas had the privilege of assisting Damen in achieving an approval in principle for a modular-based methanol fuel system.

“Several innovative technical solutions for compact ships were devised and successfully underwent the approval and HAZID process under the oversight of the acknowledged Flag States of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Belgium. We look forward to assisting Damen in the construction of the inaugural unit.”

Photo credit: Damen
Published: 13 October, 2023

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Newbuilding

Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK

“Green Future” was delivered at Tsuneishi factory on 13 May and will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from Kambara Kisen.

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Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding on Wednesday (14 May) said it has delivered the world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulk carrier, Green Future

The 65,700 dwt vessel was delivered at its factory on 13 May and will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from Kambara Kisen.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said the vessel maintains the high cargo capacity and fuel efficiency characteristic of the TESS66 Aeroline design series, while enabling more sustainable operations through the use of methanol as a fuel.

The methanol fuel tank has been positioned to maximise safety and facilitate smooth cargo handling while maintaining loading efficiency. It is also equipped with a fuel-efficient main engine and Tsuneishi’s proprietary Aeroline technology to reduce wind resistance, delivering superior fuel performance.

Mr Okumura Sachio, Representative Director, President & Executive Officer of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, said: “This delivery marks just the beginning. We will continue constructing methanol dual-fuelled vessels at our overseas facilities and remain steadfast in our pursuit of technological innovation to contribute to a more sustainable maritime industry and global environment.”

NYK said the vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

Vessel Particulars

LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tonnes
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

 

Photo credit: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding
Published: 15 May, 2025

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Events

Green Shiptech China Congress to explore alternative bunker fuels and ship technologies

LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be among key issues discussed at the annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

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Ridge China on Wednesday (14 May) announced it will be hosting the 14th Green Shiptech China Congress (GSCC), an annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai. 

More than 4,400 experts and decision makers from governments, classification societies, shipowners, shipyards, research institutes, technology/equipment suppliers and consulting companies attended the previous GSCC from 2012 to 2024. 

For 2025, over 400 industry experts, corporate decision makers and government officials will be engaged in comprehensive discussions on current issues of IMO, EU, USCG, China MSA’s policies and regulations, designs and standards for new ship models, innovative and sustainable green ship technologies at this annual conference.

Alternative bunker fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be part of the important issues discussed at the event. 

Speakers will be from

  • IMO
  • European Commission
  • U.S. Coast Guard
  • China MSA
  • Financial Institutions
  • Maritime Research Institutes
  • Solution & Technology Providers
  • Shipowners
  • Shipyards
  • Classification Societies

Key topics

  • Policies and Regulations Update and Interpretate by IMO, European Commission, U.S. Coast Guard and China MSA
  • Retrofitting Vessels to Achieve Decarbonization Goals
  • Energy Efficiency Continues to Be Key for Decarbonization
  • Decarbonization Through Digitalization
  • Digital Technologies As a Key Enabler for Emissions Reduction
  • Impact of a Hull Coating Upgrade on Hull Efficiency
  • LNG As Marine Fuel: Pivoting Towards Cleaner Shipping
  • Methanol As a Marine Fuel
  • Ammonia’s Credentials As a Green Fuel
  • Wind Propulsion Technology
  • Fuel Cell Integration: Upcoming Challenges and Opportunity
  • Propelling Carbon-neutral Shipping with Green Engines and Alternative Fuels
  • Next-generation Electric and Hybrid Marine Propulsion Technologies and Components
  • Latest Developments in Energy Storage Systems

Interested parties may contact:

Mr. Quin Xu
Tel: +86 21 6607 8610 -8003
Mob: +86 13564222811
Email: [email protected] 

Note: The English and Chinese version of the event website can be found here and here respectively while the event registration can be found here

 

Photo credit: Ridge China
Published: 15 May, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

SEA-LNG: LNG pathway offers best returns under IMO Net-Zero Framework

SEA LNG’s calculations show that under the Net-Zero Framework, investments in LNG dual fuel vessels offer shipowners a significantly shorter payback period than methanol, ammonia or VLSFO.

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Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Wednesday (14 May) said it has completed its initial analysis of the IMO Net-Zero Framework following MEPC 83 by using the independent Z-Joule cost of compliance calculator to assess the commercial implications of the new regulations.

The calculations show that under the Net-Zero Framework investments in LNG dual fuel vessels offer shipowners a significantly shorter payback period than methanol, ammonia or VLSFO. LNG ships also give shipowners a commercial advantage through fuel optionality and access to widespread established infrastructure.

The complex IMO Net-Zero Framework now requires further detailed analysis and feedback from the industry, as well as coordination with EU initiatives and the specific concerns of other member states, prior to formal ratification later this year. There are also critical details surrounding the IMO Net Zero Fund and the zero and near-zero-emission fuels (ZNZ) Reward Mechanism that will not be addressed before 2027.

SEA-LNG’s research examines the investment case for a 14,000 TEU container vessel operating a trans-Pacific route from Japan to the US West Coast. It compares LNG, ammonia and methanol dual fuel vessels against a vessel fuelled by VLSFO over a 15-year investment period.

The total cost of the different fuel pathways is driven by CapEx, the carbon intensity of the fuels, and the fuel price. For both fuel price forecasts and carbon intensity values, SEA-LNG used assumptions from DNV’s analysis (MEPC 82/INF.8/Add.1) of the candidate mid-term measures discussed at MEPC 82.

Both high-pressure and low-pressure LNG dual fuel engines offer a relative payback period of between 4.5 and 5 years compared with VLSFO because of lower compliance costs due to LNG’s lower greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI). Methanol and ammonia fuelled vessels do not pay back over the 15-year investment horizon.

SEA-LNG also modelled the investment case for a 14,000 TEU containership operating on the Rotterdam-Singapore trade route using the same fuel price forecasts. In this case, the vessel is subject to both IMO and EU decarbonisation regulations – the latter for 50% of the voyage. Here the payback for LNG fuelled vessels was reduced to about 3.5 years mainly due to the effect of FuelEU Maritime in the early years of the analysis period.

Steve Esau, Chief Operating Officer of SEA-LNG, said: “While many details need to be decided, the IMO Net-zero Framework provides a clear basis for maritime decarbonisation and should, in principle, enable all fuel pathways – be they LNG, methanol or ammonia – to compete on a level playing field. For this to continue, it is imperative that the ZNZ Reward Mechanism is designed in a fuel agnostic and technology neutral way.”

Peter Keller, Chairman of SEA-LNG, concluded: “The industry continues to make major investments in the LNG pathway. These ships can use LNG, bio-methane and e-methane, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut local pollution today. The IMO position, as well as the EU regulations, both affirm the pathway is heading in the right direction and offers a practical and realistic route to compliance, starting right now.”

This research is the first in a series of costs of compliance analyses SEA-LNG is developing using the Z-Joule calculator. 

The IMO Net-Zero Framework is the first in the world to combine mandatory emissions limits and GHG pricing across an entire industry sector.   

Approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session (MEPC 83) from 7 to 11 April 2025, the measures include a new fuel standard for ships and a global pricing mechanism for emissions.  

These measures, set to be formally adopted in October 2025 before entry into force in 2027, will become mandatory for large ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which emit 85% of the total CO2 emissions from international shipping.  

Note: The full SEA-LNG analysis can be read here.

Related: IMO MPEC 83 approves net-zero regulations for global shipping
Related: IMO: Outcomes of Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83)

 

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 15 May, 2025

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