There are several parties in Asia which are considering methanol as a bunker fuel, says the COO of the global trade association Methanol Institute (MI).
Chis Chatterton, who is based at MI’s Singapore headquarters, told Manifold Times that China is currently the world’s largest producer and consumer of methanol and the Chinese, backed by decades of experience in safely using methanol as a transportation fuel, have plans to use the product as a marine fuel within the domestic market.
To support the development, the China Classification Society has produced a comprehensive “Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels”, to include methyl/ethyl alcohols, fuel cells and biodiesel as marine fuel, based on industry best practices.
“One of our partners in Southern China has developed a project for a 1,100 kilowatt (kW) marine engine to use methanol as a marine fuel,” shares Chatterton.
He adds that sea trials are expected to commence shortly, on the back of very positive test bed results between the conversion technology licensor, the engine OEM and a major international fuel supplier.
Another Chinese initiative targets converting a large number of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled fishing vessels to methanol, as their primary fuel, due to the ease of handling and widespread availability of the material in China.
Chatterton, meanwhile, says MI is working to facilitate a pilot project in Singapore to test a converted, methanol-fueled unit. The pilot engine will be test-bedded using both traditional methanol and renewable methanol.
“In parallel, we are looking to identify a candidate who may be interested to install and sea trial the engine in Singapore waters,” he notes.
“The ideal vessel would be a smaller sized vessel such as a harbour or rescue craft, small tugboat or pulling/towing vessel with a total installed capacity of 700 to 800 kW.
“We have similar experience with a high-speed rescue vessel in Sweden, Project GreenPilot, which recently completed successful sea trials.”
Another noteworthy Singapore-based project is one involving a local offshore and marine subsidiary which specialises in emulsified fuel technology.
“We are discussing a fuel emulsification project to inject water into the methanol fuel mix, which has the effect of reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions,” says Chatterton, who explains one of the benefits of methanol is its miscibility in water.
Water can be injected into the methanol fuel mixture, which in turn lowers the combustion temperature as the water evaporates. As the water in the fuel/water emulsion evaporates, the fuel is also vaporised. The additional vapors equate to an increased surface area of the fuel, which provides for more efficient and thorough combustion. The result is reduced NOx emissions and particulate matter (PM).
“This potentially allows certain engines to meet Tier III NOx requirements which are currently in effect within the North American and US Caribbean markets.”
Greg Dolan, CEO of MI, earlier wrote in statement to Manifold Times suggesting methanol could be playing a much bigger role within the coming decades as a marine fuel.
Related: Methanol offers shipping ‘pathway’ to a low carbon future
Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 9 may, 2018
VLGCs have chosen LPG as a fuel option to comply with 2020 IMO sulphur-emission legislation.
‘IMO 2030 is approaching and it is clear the shipping industry is moving in the direction of consuming more sustainable marine fuels such as biofuels,’ explains PS Energy Executive Director Patrick Ng.
The ferry industry might not seem like a major transportation sector, in reality it is as big as commercial aviation, transporting more than 2.1 billion people a year.
M/V George III and M/V Janet Marie are two LNG-powered container ships that will join Pasha Hawaii’s fleet serving Hawaii from Q4 2021 onwards.
MASH Energy is planning scaling operations to produce enough oil to make it feasible for ship engines.
The classification society will also collaborate on decarbonisation and digitalisation research with CSSC.
Session will provide insights on bunker quality issues from a bunker supplier, shipping company and surveyor, as well as providing insight and guidance on legal and dispute resolution issues.
Gealubes Consulting & Trading, the authorised marine business distributor of PANOLIN EALs at Singapore port, shares a two-part education series on Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants on Manifold Times.
Danny Lee Chee Keong was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment over the theft of MFO from the Consort Bunkers owned and operated bunker tanker at the sea off Eastern Petroleum ‘B’ anchorage.
‘Metcore’s MFM+ Program exemplifies serious oil suppliers and buyers who advocate fair trading using a recognised and widely-accepted technology,’ highlights Darrick Pang, Managing Director of Metcore.
‘The victim is Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd, the owner of the Pearl Melody,’ states the joint statement of facts (SOF) document obtained by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
Between November 2016 and October 2017, Mr Tan falsified at least 20 invoices and submitted these invoices to UOB and OCBC, according to court documents obtained by bunkering publication Manifold Times.
