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World’s first methanol-ready icebreaker proceeds to construction stage

Decision to construct at least two new icebreakers for Sweden was made in December 2022; first vessel is planned to be delivered in 2026 and the second about a year later.

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The Aker ARC 130 S design for the world’s first methanol-ready icebreaker in the world has been finalised in close co-operation with the Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) and optimised for Sweden’s icebreaking needs, according to Aker Arctic on Tuesday (21 February). 

Selection of shipyard

The decision to construct at least two new icebreakers for Sweden was made in December 2022. The first vessel is planned to be delivered in 2026 and the second about a year later.

Currently, SMA is evaluating shipyards which would have the expertise and possibility to build the vessels. This assessment should be ready in February 2023.

“After that, we can send out requests for tenders and continue the dialogue with our shortlist of shipyards,” said Dan Broström, project manager at SMA. 

“We aim to sign the agreement in September 2023 and begin construction preparations immediately.”

Methanol chosen as fuel

The initial concept was prepared with the possibility of adapting the design for various alternative fuels. After Sweden selected renewable methanol as the future non-fossil fuel of its next-generation icebreakers, the design was finalised to consider the special requirements of methanol fuel and to maximise achievable autonomy time during assistance icebreaking operations.

“Currently, the plan is to build the icebreaker initially for fossil-free renewable diesel oil (hydrotreated vegetable oil; HVO) with readiness to adopt methanol fuel as soon as the technology has matured and fuel availability is secured,” Broström outlines. “The harbour generators will use methanol-based MD97 fuel from the start.”

However, since engine manufacturers are working tirelessly to advance the technology as fast as possible and various bio- and e-methanol plant projects are progressing in Sweden, it might well be feasible to build the icebreakers directly for biomethanol use.

Technical pioneers

The Swedish icebreakers will be the first methanol-ready and potentially the first methanol-fuelled icebreakers in the world. This continues the trend with the Baltic icebreakers as technical pioneers, the previous one being Finnish icebreaker Polaris, the world’s first LNG-fuelled icebreaker.

When the project began, Polaris and two Russian icebreakers, Aleksandr Sannikov and Andrey Vilkitsky, had recently been commissioned, all being part of the Aker ARC 130 family of icebreaker designs developed by Aker Arctic.

“We could benefit from the previous designs and develop them further,” says Mikael Sandström, Master mariner, nautical expert at SMA, who has been in charge of overseeing the technical details.

 

Photo credit: Aker Arctic
Published: 24 February, 2023

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LNG Bunkering

Osaka Gas launches shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service at its terminal

Company says it is the first gas utility company in Japan to offer LNG bunker fuel at its terminal to vessels and is also exploring the potential of replacing LNG with e-methane as a marine fuel.

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Osaka Gas launches shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service at its terminal

Osaka Gas on Monday (21 April) said it has launched its shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service, becoming the first gas utility company in Japan to offer liquefied natural gas (LNG) at its terminal to vessels.

The first delivery took place today at Osaka Gas’ Senboku LNG Terminal in Takaishi City, Osaka Prefecture, where LNG was supplied to Verde Heraldo, a bulker operated by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL). 

Manifold Times previously reported that the bulker will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel Corporation's mills. 

With the launch of the shore-to-ship service, in addition to its existing truck-to-ship LNG bunkering service—operational since 2019—Osaka Gas enhances its LNG fuel delivery capabilities to address the current scarcity of facilities in Japan that can supply LNG to vessels. 

The company’s future plans include the introduction of a ship-to-ship LNG bunkering service utilising a dedicated LNG bunkering vessel, scheduled to commence in fiscal 2026.

These supply methods aim to provide a stable and flexible LNG fuel supply to an increasing number of LNG-fuelled vessels as the maritime industry transitions away from heavy fuel oil.

This growth in LNG-fuelled vessels is driven by global decarbonisation trends and the International Maritime Organization’s target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Through its LNG bunkering services, Osaka Gas is well-positioned to contribute to maritime industry sustainability.

Osaka Gas launches shore-to-ship LNG bunkering service at its terminal

In addition to expanding LNG fuel supply to vessels, Osaka Gas is exploring the potential of replacing LNG with e-methane as a marine fuel. 

Related: New MOL vessel to be supplied LNG bunker fuel in Japan before voyage to Australia

 

Photo credit: Osaka Gas
Published: 23 April, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Japan: J-ENG begins co-firing of first full-scale marine engine with ammonia

Company says the first Japanese-developed and manufactured commercial full-scale, low-speed, ammonia-fuelled two-stroke engine has started co-firing operation with ammonia.

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Japan: J-ENG begins co-firing of first full-scale marine engine with ammonia

Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) on Monday (21 April) said the first Japanese-developed and manufactured commercial full-scale, low-speed, ammonia-fuelled two-stroke engine has started co-firing operation with ammonia, which will be installed in a vessel. 

J-ENG is developing the engine under the “Green Innovation Fund Project: Next-generation Ship Development” of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). 

Since May 2023, when J-ENG started the world's first ammonia co-firing operation of a large, low-speed, two-stroke engine in a test engine, J-ENG has obtained many results and knowledge, including stable operation at high ammonia co-firing rates and safe handling of ammonia, through various test operations over a period of about a year and a half. 

J-ENG will conduct verification operations on the full-scale engine and plans to ship the engine in October of this year. The engine will be installed on an Ammonia-fuelled Medium Gas Carrier (AFMGC) and then demonstration operations of the vessel will be carried out then.

In order to accommodate a wide variety of ammonia-fueled vessels, J-ENG is also concurrently developing an ammonia-fueled engine with a cylinder bore of 60cm, following the first engine with a 50cm cylinder bore mentioned above, for several promising follow-on projects.

Furthermore, after achieving the development and social implementation of these engines, the company has decided to construct a new plant with the support of a subsidy project by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism through the GX Economic Transition Bonds. 

The new plant, which is scheduled for completion in 2028, will expand the production of ammonia fuel engines (in the product mix with fuel oil engines) and promote the spread and expansion of zero-emission ships.

“J-ENG, as a first mover of next-generation fuel engines, will contribute to the development of the Japanese shipping and shipbuilding industries through the early launch and expansion of these engines, and at the same time, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) in international shipping and the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050,” the company said on its website.

 

Photo credit: Japan Engine Corporation
Published: 23 April, 2025

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Methanol

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding completes first block loading of methanol-fuelled newbuildings

Company completed the first block loading of its first 5,900TEU methanol-fuelled containership and its first methanol dual-fuelled Kamsarmax bulk carrier in China and Philippines respectively.

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Tsuneishi Shipbuilding completes first block loading of methanol-fuelled newbuildings

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding on Tuesday (22 April) said its shipyard in China successfully completed the first block loading for its first 5,900TEU methanol-fuelled containership, which is the largest of this ship type built by the company, on 16 April.

In addition to the enhanced hull form and MT-FAST, the company’s innovative energy-saving technology, the integration of a large-capacity shaft generator has enabled this dual-fuel vessel to achieve both optimal loading performance and exceptional fuel economy when compared with fuel oil vessels in the same segment. 

MT-FAST is an energy-saving device that improves propulsion efficiency by approximately 4% by regulating water flow through the installation of multiple fins in front of the propeller. It was developed jointly with MTI of the NYK Group.

The vessel has been developed based on the concept of a final solution for the zero CO₂ emission vessel through the use of green methanol. Therefore, not only the main engine but also all on-board generators, HiMSEN engine which will be supplied by HD Hyundai, can be methanol-fuelled. 

This makes it possible to achieve carbon neutrality with the exception of a small amount of pilot fuel. Furthermore, the vessel is equipped with the necessary infrastructure to receive large-capacity alternative maritime power supplies. 

“In addition, the generators can be deactivated during anchorage, thereby achieving zero CO₂ emissions. We will continue to promote the further practical application of methanol-fuelled vessels with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality in the future,” the company said.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding completes first block loading of methanol-fuelled newbuildings

Additionally, the Japan-based shipbuilder said its yard in the Philippines has successfully completed the first block loading for its first methanol dual-fuelled Kamsarmax bulk carrier on 21 April at THI Slipway No.2 . 

The vessel is scheduled to be launched in July 2025 and delivered in January 2026.

It is the first methanol-fuelled vessel in the Kamsarmax series, a long-standing series of vessels built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, which reached the 400-vessel milestone in July 2024.

By using methanol for propulsion, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said the vessel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 10%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 80% and sulphur oxide emissions by 99% during voyages compared to conventional models. 

 

Photo credit: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding
Published: 23 April, 2025

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