Methanol
Methanol Institute: Potential demand for methanol bunker fuel reaches 17.1 million mt per annum
Current orderbooks show the top five orders for methanol dual fuel vessels coming from Maersk, CMA CGM, Evergreen, X-Press Feeders, COSCO Shipping and HMM, states Chris Chatterton.

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3 months agoon
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The potential demand for methanol as a bunker fuel has currently risen to 17.1 million metric tonnes (mt) per annum, states the Chief Operating Officer of global methanol industry trade association Methanol Institute.
Chris Chatterton shared the observation with delegates at Session 3: Alternative fuels: Unlocking their potential to transform shipping of the APPEC 2023 conference on Wednesday (8 September) during his session Methanol: The near-term alternative fuel.

“Global demand and production for methanol in 2020 was 98 million mt and this figure is roughly calculated to reach around 500 million mt by 2050, according to a study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA),” said Chatterton.
“Broad sub-vertical markets across both chemicals and fuel applications for methanol results in shipowners being subjected to less price volatility, predictable supply, and consistent quality when choosing to use to material as a bunker fuel.
“Additionally, established trading hubs for methanol already mean the product is available for consumption as marine fuel at over 100 ports.”
To date, the 25 methanol-fuel vessels, mainly product/chemical carriers, operating globally will be joined by an additional 165 vessels on order at a future date, he said.
Current orderbooks show the top five orders for methanol dual fuel vessels coming from Maersk, CMA CGM, Evergreen, X-Press Feeders, COSCO Shipping and HMM – mostly purchasing containerships.

Moving forward, Chatterton expects a total of 1,200 methanol-fuelled vessels of various designs, including containerships, bulk carriers, chemical tankers, ferries, harbourcraft, dredgers, OSV, VLCCs, and car carriers, to be operating by 2030.

Chatterton in July told Manifold Times he expects a major portion of the methanol-fuelled fleet to be receiving fuel at the Port of Singapore.
The successful completion of Singapore’s first methanol bunkering pilot in late July has given the republic a lead in adopting methanol as a marine fuel.
The Methanol Institute in May published its first comprehensive guide to methanol as a marine fuel.
Singapore’s bunkering sector, meanwhile, is gearing up to receive commercial methanol bunkering operations.
International laboratory testing services firm Eurofins has expanded operations to include surveying, sampling and testing packages for methanol bunker fuel within its product portfolio.
Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd has placed a newbuilding order for six 6,500 dwt IMO Type 2 bunker tankers capable of delivering a wide variety of conventional marine fuels including biofuel and methanol.
During Singapore Maritime Week (SMW 2023), classification society DNV joined a working group on methanol bunkering, managed by the Standards Development Organisation at Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC-SDO).
Golden Island Diesel Oil Trading Pte Ltd, which has already finished the design phase for its methanol bunkering tanker, is planning to start bonded methanol bunkering operations at the republic in 2026.
In 2022, several players including PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, Air Liquide, YTL PowerSeraya Pte. Limited, Oiltanking Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Kenoil Marine Services Pte Ltd, and A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S signed a Memorandum of Understanding to start a ‘Green Methanol Value Chain Collaboration’ feasibility study project.
Related: The Methanol Institute: Singapore takes first-mover advantage in Asia with methanol bunkering pilot
Related: Singapore bunkering sector enters milestone with first methanol marine refuelling op
Related: Methanol Institute publishes first complete guide to methanol as a marine fuel
Related: Consort Bunkers receives “Pearl Khaoyai”, prepares for IMO 2030/2050 with IMO Type 2 bunker tanker orders
Related: SMW 2023: DNV joins Standards working group on methanol bunkering
Related: Singapore: Golden Island begins fleetwide B30 biofuel bunker trial, starts tests with “Double Happiness”
Related: Singapore: Golden Island Diesel Oil Trading to start methanol bunkering operations at republic by 2026
Related: SNIC 2022: Kenoil shares green methanol bunkering endeavour and firm’s contribution to supply value chain
Related: Singapore: Players in feasibility study for first green e-methanol plant in S.E.A.
Photo credit: The Methanol Institute
Published: 13 September, 2023
Alternative Fuels
DNV paper outlines bunkering of alternative marine fuels for boxships
Third edition of its paper series focuses on LNG, methanol and ammonia as alternative bunker fuel options for containerships; explores bunkering aspects for LNG and methanol.

Published
2 days agoon
November 29, 2023By
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Classification society DNV recently released the third edition of its paper series Alternative fuels for containerships, focused on LNG, methanol and ammonia as alternative bunker fuel options for containerships.
In its updated paper series, DNV examined the different alternative marine fuel options and provided an overview of the most important technical and commercial considerations for the containership sector.
It explored the bunkering technology for LNG, bunkering infrastructure for methanol, and availability and infrastructure of ammonia.
Building on the foundation laid in the second edition, which focused on the most important aspects of methanol as a fuel, this latest third edition delves deeper – exploring the technical intricacies and commercial considerations associated with adopting methanol as an alternative fuel for containerships.
Furthermore, it provides an overview of crucial aspects related to ammonia and discusses its potential as an alternative fuel for containerships.
Amongst others, the new edition of the paper looks at the following aspects:
- Technical design considerations for methanol
- Commercial implications of adopting methanol as an alternative fuel
- Ammonia's potential as an alternative fuel
- Availability, infrastructure and ship fuel technology for ammonia
- Major updates based on the latest IMO GHG strategy decisions at the MEPC 80 meeting
Note: The third edition of DNV’s full paper titled Alternative Fuels for Containerships can be found here.
Related: DNV paper outlines bunkering infrastructure of alternative fuels for boxships
Photo credit: DNV
Published: 29 November, 2023
Engine
MAN ES announces MAN 175D methanol dual-fuel engine will be available by 2026
Dual-fuel version of MAN 175D high-speed engine, capable of operating on methanol, will be available by the end of 2026; will be available both as newbuild and retrofit variants.

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3 days agoon
November 28, 2023By
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MAN Energy Solutions on Monday (27 November) announced that a dual-fuel version of its MAN 175D high-speed engine, capable of operating on methanol, will be available by the end of 2026.
The new variant, designated MAN 175DF-M, will be available both as newbuild and retrofit variants.
MAN Energy Solutions states that the 175DF-M will be optimised for diesel-mechanical and diesel-electric propulsion to achieve the largest methanol share and best efficiency for various applications and load profiles. In fact, the engine has already been awarded the ‘fuel ready’ certificate by DNV, guaranteeing the introduction of this dual-fuel methanol technology.
“The 175D engine is MAN Energy Solutions’ latest addition to the high-speed maritime sector and is, as such, one of the pillars of its efforts to develop a methanol-ready engine portfolio as the demand for such technology has rapidly been increasing of late,” the firm said in a statement.
With its success in achieving series-approval for its two-stroke engines, MAN Energy Solutions said it has used this experience to develop an optimised solution for its four-stroke engines, including successful single-cylinder testing. As such, the results of these efforts will fuel the upcoming development and validation of the dual-fuel PFI (Port Fuel Injection) technology for its methanol-ready 175D engine.
Florian Keiler, Head of High Speed, MAN Energy Solutions, said: “The MAN 175D has proven to be very competitive in terms of sustainability and efficiency with the lowest fuel consumption, lowest lube-oil consumption and longest overhaul times in its class, minimising its environmental footprint. In terms of future fuels, the next logical step, apart from being able to run on 100% bio-fuels, is to ensure methanol combustion.”
“Based on numerous exchanges with customers, we came to the conclusion that the dual-fuel principle, reliability, efficiency, a high methanol share, competitive life-cycle costs and maximum achievable output were key requirements for the 175DF-M’s development. Therefore, after conscientious investigation and consideration, we settled upon the PFI combustion technology as the most favourable. Fundamental combustion development will start in 2024, leading up to a first field-test of the methanol engine in 2026. The MAN 175DF-M engine will subsequently be ready for sales release at the end of 2026.”
MAN Energy Solutions believes that PFI is the most advanced technology currently available. Its development targets a highest methanol share over a wide power range while achieving the highest cylinder output in its high-speed engine class. In particular, optimisation for diesel-electric multi-engine plants will allow operation of the engines at an optimal load point achieving the highest methanol share. As result, when using biofuels, the MAN 175DF-M’s carbon footprint will be reduced to zero while retaining full fuel-flexibility for operation anywhere in the world.
Photo credit: MAN Energy Solutions
Published: 28 November, 2023
Methanol
Maersk and China-based Goldwind sign landmark green methanol bunker fuel offtake deal
Long-term agreement for annual volumes of 500KT will enable low carbon operations for the first 12 large methanol-enabled Maersk vessels on order; first volumes expected in 2026.

Published
1 week agoon
November 23, 2023By
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A.P. Moller - Maersk on Wednesday (22 November) said it signed a deal with Chinese clean energy firm Goldwind, marking the first large scale green methanol offtake agreement for the global shipping industry.
The commercially viable long-term offtake agreement for annual volumes of 500KT will enable low carbon operations for the first 12 large methanol-enabled Maersk vessels on order. The first volumes are expected in 2026.
Rabab Raafat Boulos, Chief Infrastructure Officer at A.P. Moller - Maersk, said: “This deal is a milestone for Maersk as it enables us to significantly reduce our emissions footprint in this decade and stay aligned with the 1.5-degree Celsius trajectory as set out in the Paris Agreement, ensuring continued supply of low carbon shipping services to our customers in the second half of this decade.”
“We are encouraged by the agreement because its scale and price confirm our view that green methanol currently is the most viable low-emission solution for ocean shipping that can make a significant impact in this decade. The deal is a testament to the momentum and vast efforts we see among ambitious developers driving projects forward across geographies, however, we still have a long way to go in ensuring a global green fuels market that can enable the decarbonisation of global shipping.”
A.P. Moller - Maersk aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 across its business. The deal significantly de-risks the initial stages of Maersk’s net-zero journey and supports expectations for a competitive green methanol market towards 2030. The record-high volumes can annually propel more than half the methanol-enabled capacity Maersk currently has on order.
Wu Gang, Chairman, Goldwind, said: “Goldwind respects Maersk as a pioneer in the field of maritime green fuel and we are excited to jointly promote the green transition with Maersk.”
“With this project, Goldwind will continue to explore the innovative application of new technologies, pursue the organic combination of green electricity and green fuel production, and optimise the production process of green methanol.”
“Goldwind is committed to collaborating with companies involved in the green methanol industry, with the aim to make green methanol one of the most important and economically feasible clean maritime fuels in the future.”
The volumes combine a mix of green bio-methanol and e-methanol, all produced utilising wind energy at a new production facility in Hinggan League, Northeast China, around 1,000km northeast of Beijing.
Production is expected to begin in 2026. Following this signed offtake agreement, Goldwind expects to confirm a final investment decision for the facility by the end of the year.
Maersk will take delivery of its first large ocean-going methanol-enabled vessel (16,000 TEU) in the first quarter of 2024 and is working on sourcing solutions with a broad range of global partners for the entire vessel series being delivered in 2024 to 2025.
Photo credit: A.P. Moller - Maersk
Published: 23 November, 2023

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