Alternative Fuels

MI: Japan’s first methanol fuelled coastal tanker signals long term low carbon ambitions

Consortium approach signals that first movers can make progress towards decarbonisation using available alternative bunker fuels, writes Chris Chatterton, COO, The Methanol Institute.

Published

2 years ago

June 26, 2023

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Chris Chatterton, Chief Operating Officer, The Methanol Institute, shared with Manifold Times his views on how a six-member Japanese consortium’s decision to build a methanol-fuelled coastal tanker is likely to encourage the take up of methanol as a bunker fuel :

The decision by a consortium of Japanese shipping industry leaders to construct the country’s first methanol-powered coastal tanker confirms the maturity of methanol propulsion technology and Japan’s ambitions to begin reducing carbon emissions as soon as possible.

Methanol is already used as an environmentally friendly fuel in oceangoing vessels, including five vessels operated by the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group and its use is expected to significantly expand in next couple of years.

The country’s shipping operators, vessel designers and methanol producers are working together as first movers to reduce carbon emissions ahead of looming international regulatory targets. Japanese coastal trades are home to approximately 1,000 small vessels, 70% of which are more than 14 years old and due for replacement.

As the inaugural ship to use methanol in coastal waters, the new tanker will be the first output of a long-term strategic alliance to develop a ship of this type and lower operational carbon emissions.

The participants in the consortium includes Methanol Institute (MI) member Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), along with MOL Coastal Shipping, Tabuchi Kaiun, Niihama Kaiun, Murakami Hide Shipbuilding and Hanshin Diesel Works.

Based on the strategic alliance, MOL will provide technical support for the development of the vessel and further promote and develop this strategic alliance, while Hanshin Diesel Works will develop the methanol-fuelled engine, the first such 4-stroke diesel for commercial use.

MOL is a signatory of the Clydebank Declarations and a member of the First Movers Coalition, initiatives aimed at advancing maritime decarbonisation as soon as practical. The decision to opt for methanol as fuel underlines this approach, since the operator can begin with conventional methanol and progressively transition to sustainable blue and renewable green methanol as more becomes available.

The vessel will feature a package of energy efficiency measures including a reverse teardrop valve, an eco-propulsion package, operational support system and automatic discharging to reduce unloading time. By forming the vessel’s bulbous bow into a reverse teardrop shape, the vessel can mitigate hull resistance while sailing, a measure which contributes to energy saving.

Among the project participants is another MI member, Mitsubishi Corporation, which will time-charter the vessel and supply the methanol. Mitsubishi operates as one of the biggest methanol distributors in Japan.

About 160,000mt are delivered by a coastal vessel from large hub tanks located in Tokuyama to end customers and secondary tanks in other locations in Japan. The potential also exists to utilise the ship as a bunkering vessel for larger methanol fuel vessels in overseas locations.

As charterer and fuel provider, Mitsubishi’s strategy is to promote methanol-fuel vessels in the Japanese shipping industry, providing the fuel to other owners as well as consuming its own low-carbon methanol.

As more blue and renewable green methanol become available, the company will develop the supply-chain network of possible increasingly low-carbon methanol to underpin the eventual transition to net carbon neutral shipping operations.

Japan’s long-term strategy to sustainably reduce carbon emissions starts with projects of this type, bringing together experienced stakeholders from across the shipping, shipbuilding propulsion and fuel supply chain signals a transition for the broader coastal fleet is possible today.

Photo credit: The Methanol Institute
Published: 26 June, 2023

LNG Bunkering

China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Bunkering vessel “Hai Yang Shi You 302” supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres of LNG bunker fuel to containership “MSC Adya” at the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port port on 5 January.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

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China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area on Wednesday (8 January) said Ningbo-Zhoushan Port successfully completed its first LNG bunkering operation for the year.

Bunkering vessel Hai Yang Shi You 302 supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres (m3) of LNG bunker fuel to containership MSC Adya at the port on 5 January.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading, the bunker supplier for the operation, successfully obtained the Zhoushan Anchorage LNG bunkering licence in June 2024, extending refuelling services from dock to sea.

The company’s services cover Meishan, Chuanshan, Daxie and other port areas.

As China's first river-sea LNG transport and bunkering ship, Hai Yang Shi You is currently placed permanently at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, providing a variety of bunkering methods such as ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading will continue to expand the scope of bonded LNG bunkering operations and new alternative fuels such as green methanol, ammonia and biofuels in the Zhoushan Area.

Photo credit: Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area
Published: 10 January, 2025

Nuclear

VARD and partners team up to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Project, which involves Knutsen Tankers and DNV, will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

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VARD and partners team up in project to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Norway-based shipbuilder VARD on Friday (3 January) said it has partnered with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Ålesund, Norway and other key stakeholders in the NuProShip I project, which explores nuclear propulsion for the maritime sector.

NuProShip, short for "Nuclear Propulsion in Shipping," will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

In this project, an extensive assessment of 99 companies developing advanced reactor technologies led to the selection of three promising reactor types:

Kairos Power (USA): Fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor using Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles, designed for robust and efficient operation.
Ultrasafe (USA): Helium-cooled gas reactor, also employing TRISO fuel particles, known for their resilience and safety in extreme conditions.
Blykalla (Sweden): Lead-cooled reactor concept utilizing uranium oxide as fuel, offering high efficiency with advanced cooling mechanisms.

VARD said TRISO fuel particles, noted for their durability and containment properties, play a crucial role in two of these reactor types.

“TRISO technology in fact, is renowned as one of the most resilient nuclear fuel types available today,” it added.

Alongside VARD, the NuProShip project is supported by other partners, including DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, ship owner Knutsen Tankers, and the Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM.

VARD’s primary contribution involves integrating these reactor systems into various vessel types, assessing the technical challenges to enable the future commercial use of nuclear-powered ships.

Photo credit: VARD
Published: 10 January, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: KPI OceanConnect, partners deliver first renewable diesel to cruise industry

Delivery of bunker fuel from Neste was made at Singapore Cruise Terminal, with the fuel sourced from Vopak Penjuru Terminal and transported to a cruise ship via barge “Maple”, operated by Global Energy.

Published

4 days ago

January 9, 2025

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Singapore: KPI OceanConnect, partners deliver first renewable diesel to cruise industry

Global provider of marine energy solutions KPI OceanConnect on Wednesday (8 January) said it partnered with Neste and Global Energy on the first successful delivery of renewable diesel, also known as HVO100, for the cruise industry in Singapore.

The landmark delivery of Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ took place in November 2024 and marked a significant milestone for the Asia-Pacific marine sector.

Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ is made from 100% renewable raw materials and is a direct replacement for fossil diesel, helping the industry meet its sustainability goals.

The use of this renewable diesel can result in up to 90% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction over its lifecycle compared to fossil diesel.

The fuel is a drop-in solution and is suitable for all diesel-powered engines without the need for additional investment or modification to engines or fuel infrastructure.

The delivery of renewable diesel from Neste was made at the Singapore Cruise Terminal, with the fuel sourced from Vopak Penjuru Terminal and transported to the cruise ship via bunker barge Maple, operated by Global Energy.

KPI OceanConnect facilitated the successful delivery of the renewable diesel, working closely with the vessel's technical team to ensure engine compliance. KPI OceanConnect collaborated with Neste to source the fuel and with Global Energy for operational agreements in Singapore waters.

Ee Pin Lee, Head of Commercial APAC, Renewable Products at Neste, said: "This first supply of Neste MY Renewable Diesel to the marine sector in Asia-Pacific is a significant milestone and demonstrates the versatility of the product across a wide range of applications where it can replace fossil diesel. It is an effective solution for enabling the marine sector to be more sustainable."

Chow Munee, Group Business Manager, Global Energy, added: “Partnering with Neste and KPI OceanConnect to supply renewable diesel to the marine sector in Singapore is an important step in helping our clients reduce their environmental impact. By providing seamless and reliable delivery of HVO, we are supporting the industry’s transition without compromising operational efficiency. We’re proud to play a role in driving these crucial efforts within the maritime sector.”

Jesper Sørensen, Head of Alternative Fuels and Carbon Markets at KPI OceanConnect, said: “We are proud to be industry first movers in sourcing and delivering HVO for our clients, helping them reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their environmental goals. By working closely with Neste and Global Energy, we were able to offer high-quality biofuel to our client, laying the groundwork for further fuel uptake and decarbonisation progress. This successful delivery is a testament to how partnerships can help advance the industry’s green transition.”

Photo credit: KPI OceanConnect
Published: 9 January, 2025