Methanol Institute

ALJ Group invites you to join efforts for a greener maritime future at the 5th Decarbonizing Shipping Forum in Rotterdam on June 26th-27th!

A true shift to a and carbon-neutral shipping industry not only requires innovative technical solutions but also a shift in the mindsets of people who are going through this transformation.

The decarbonization agenda is becoming increasingly more ambitious and it requires exploring new ways of cutting on in day-to-day ship operations as well as long-term solutions that would bring about a lasting positive impact.

It also requires new forward-thinking talents and joint corporate efforts starting with top-level management. Therefore, we are offering a platform to discuss new technology combined with the human element and what decarbonizing means to the industry from all stakeholders points of view.

Top business executives, policymakers, innovators, and technology experts will dive into debates during conference sessions and networking breaks in Rotterdam – don’t miss your chance to join them! More: https://bit.ly/44n7jWS

5th Decarbonizing Shipping Forum Recent years have taught the shipping industry that each industry player can succeed only provided that all stakeholders enter a dialogue and work together. The shipping industry is peculiar and, nonetheless, exciting because it comprises a number of parties who hold a different and very significant...

From new engines to retrofit solutions, design approvals to vessel orders and bunkering agreements, methanol was everywhere in 2023, but as Gregory Dolan, CEO of The Methanol Institute discusses in Bunkerspot, the transition process to a cleaner shipping industry continues.

So, what does 2024 have in store for methanol as a marine fuel? The signs are certainly positive; methanol provides a practical, implementable pathway for the maritime industry regarding timescale, regulation, and fuel production. The technology is in place: proven, approved, and straightforward to implement in practice.

As the IMO develops its own GHG lifecycle guidelines this year, it will be important to adopt a transition approach that facilitates the contribution of conventional, blue, and green fuels towards targets for low carbon and for net carbon neutral emissions. A market mechanism will ultimately be essential and is something the industry needs to work together to promote.

We will continue providing the support the industry needs, from newbuilding and retrofit decisions, informing regulation and policy, and promoting the infrastructure enabling the energy transition. https://bit.ly/35fAEtR

Marine Methanol Bunker Price Assessment E-Methanol & Biomethanol Plants and Ports BUNKERSPOT: Going Mainstream DOWNLOAD From new engines to retrofit solutions, design approvals to vessel orders and bunkering agreements, methanol was everywhere in 2023, but as Gregory Dolan, CEO of The Methanol Institute di...

The Methanol Institute and several partners have submitted key recommendations to the European Commission regarding the necessary elements for certifying low-carbon fuels.

To enable the certification of low-carbon fuels, which is essential for the supply, trade, and demand of both domestic and global volumes, these recommendations must be implemented to ensure regulatory certainty and clarity. https://bit.ly/3IXLCmI

Europe Europe Americas China India Asia Pacific/Middle East PDF The Methanol Institute and several partners have submitted key recommendations to the European Commission regarding the necessary elements for certifying low-carbon fuels. To enable the certification of low-carbon fuels, which is essential for...

Mein Schiff 7 Delivered as First Methanol-Ready Cruise Ship

The first cruise ship designed for operations on methanol and eventually green methanol was delivered on June 10 to Germany’s TUI Cruises. Named Mein Schiff 7 she also marks the first new ship since 2019 for the cruise line and the seventh ship in the Mein Schiff fleet to be built in Finland at what is today the Meyer Turku yard.

As the company explains it, for the commissioning of the Mein Schiff 7, all the currently possible technical equipment, such as tanks and pipe systems for methanol or green methanol propulsion, have been installed. However, a technical component for the methanol drive of four-stroke engines is not yet available and is not expected to be delivered until sometime in 2025. The cruise line currently plans for the Mein Schiff 7 to be equipped and commissioned in 2026 so that it can be one of the first cruise ships to run on methanol.

Initially, the 115,000 gt cruise ship will be operated exclusively with low-emission marine diesel (sulfur content max. 0.1%). The line notes it is the first ship in their fleet to exclusively use this low-emission fuel and its environmental impact will be further enhanced with catalytic converters that will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 75 percent. The ship is also equipped to use shore power connections. https://bit.ly/4ekhXDO

Mein Schiff 7 Delivered as First Methanol-Ready Cruise Ship The first cruise ship designed for operations on methanol and eventually green methanol was delivered on June 10 to Germany’s TUI Cruises. Named Mein...

PODCAST: Methanol could play leading role in the low-carbon energy transition

Methanol has long-term potential as a major player in the energy transition, especially for use as a marine fuel.

- Methanol mainly made from coal in China, natural gas elsewhere
- Used to make formaldehyde, acetic acid, in China mainly coal-based methanol to olefins (MTO)
- Q2 typically sees peak demand for Europe construction but subdued this year
- Concerns about overcapacity globally as new projects come onstream
- Use as marine fuel may be a big driver of growth long term
- Energy transition offers great opportunities

In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews ICIS senior editor Eashani Chavda and ICIS Insight editor Nigel Davis.

Click here to listen to the podcast: https://bit.ly/45mZKBu

PODCAST: Methanol could play leading role in the low-carbon energy transition Individual news pages

Houlder presents methanol bunkering vessel design for SPINE maritime project

Design and engineering consultancy Houlder has unveiled the design of a 10,000 cbm methanol bunkering vessel as part of the SPINE maritime project.

According to Houlder, the methanol bunkering vessel design includes semi-automated crane systems for supplying methanol to other ships of a wide size range, including cruise and large container vessels.

In addressing the challenges around space during the vessel design process, Houlder claimed it navigated complex constraints to optimize the vessel’s layout for maximum efficiency and compliance, adding:

“The use of methanol as both cargo and fuel presented unique spatial considerations, given its lower density compared to conventional fuels, the different regulatory requirements concerning storage and use as cargo or fuel, and associated handling spaces. Houlder’s design team explored allocated space within the hull to balance these requirements within a vessel that is of comparable size to existing small tankers, while adhering to strict safety regulations.” https://bit.ly/4ekHNHF

Houlder presents methanol bunkering vessel design for SPINE maritime project Houlder has announced progress in its involvement in the SPINE maritime project, with the design of a 10,000 cbm methanol bunkering vessel.

Evergreen orders 6 methanol dual-fuel boxships

Taiwanese container shipping company Evergreen Marine has ordered six 2,400 TEU methanol dual-fuel containerships in China, continuing its efforts to decarbonize operations.

The Sub-Panamax vessels will be built by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company Limited, part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), the company revealed in a stock exchange filing on June 7, 2024.

Evergreen will pay $52-58 million per vessel, with the total transaction price amounting to $312-348 million.

The order for the ship sextet was placed on behalf of Italia Marittima S.p.A. (ITS), a subsidiary of Evergreen Marine.

No further details have been shared.

In separate releases, the company unveiled the acquisition of a total of 50,000 new containers from D**g Fang International Container (Hong Kong), China International Marine Containers (Group) and Singamas Management Services for about $162 million. https://bit.ly/4bUMlDi

Evergreen orders 6 methanol dual-fuel boxships Evergreen Marine has ordered six 2,400 TEU methanol dual-fuel containerships in China, continuing its efforts to decarbonize operations.

Towards commercial-scale methanol bunkering in the Port of Singapore

MPA chief executive, Eng Dih Teo, highlights progress on supplying methanol, developing technical standards for bunkering the fuel and how the world’s largest ship refuelling hub is supporting net-zero shipping

Since the world’s first methanol ship-to-container ship bunkering in July 2023, where 300 metric tonnes (MT) of bio-methanol was delivered, Singapore continues to take steps towards commercial-scale operations. On 24 May, a successful ship-to-ship bunkering of close to 1,340 MT of blended methanol was completed in Raffles Reserved Anchorage and a planned simultaneous cargo and bunkering operation.

The blended methanol, comprising 22% International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC)-certified bio-methanol combined with conventional methanol, was supplied by the Singapore-flagged Kara, an IMO Type II chemical bunker tanker operated by Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd, a bunker supplier licensed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

The fuel was received by the new 49,900-dwt Stena Prosperous, an IMO II MeMAX tanker operated by Proman.

Supplied by Valenz and lifted at Vopak Penjuru Terminal, the blended methanol is expected to deliver 31% CO2e savings on a tank-to-wake basis compared to very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).
Blended methanol can serve as a pathway fuel to meet GHG emissions limits imposed by Fuel EU Maritime for ships trading in the European Economic Area. As IMO states discuss the lifecycle emissions accounting framework, the relevant well-to-wake and tank-to-wake emissions must be measurable, reportable and verifiable.

Kara is equipped for safe and accountable delivery of methanol bunker fuel, including an onboard mass flow metering (MFM) system, a flow boom for transferring bunkering hoses between vessels, and vapour recovery line. https://bit.ly/3ySRddw

Towards commercial-scale methanol bunkering in the Port of Singapore MPA chief executive, Eng Dih Teo, highlights progress on supplying methanol, developing technical standards for bunkering the fuel and how the world’s largest ship refuelling hub is supporting net-zero shipping

Norwegian duo reveals plans for hydrogen and bio-methanol production

Norwegian companies Norwegian Hydrogen and MI member Glocal Green have entered into a concrete cooperation agreement for the development and establishment of hydrogen production in connection with Glocal Green’s planned bio-methanol plant in Øyer in Gudbrandsdalen.

The deal is based on the dialogue the two companies have had since they entered into a letter of intent two years ago, Norwegian Hydrogen said, adding that the hydrogen production will be organized into a separate jointly owned company.

Dag Nikolai Ryste, CEO of Glocal Green, stated: “A two-year study and dialogue between us have today resulted in a joint commitment to hydrogen production in connection with Glocal Green’s methanol production units. It has crystallized into a clear win-win model between the parties, and in addition, this efficiency will benefit all other parties along this holistic value chain, and not least the market.”

According to Norwegian Hydrogen, bio-methanol will be produced from low-grade biological residual materials and by-products from forestry, agriculture, and the marine sector, and by adding hydrogen in the production process, “all the green carbon is utilized, resulting in a volumetric doubling of methanol production.” This methanol, with added hydrogen, is termed bio-e-methanol.
https://bit.ly/3KCp5h9

Norwegian duo reveals plans for hydrogen and bio-methanol production Norwegian Hydrogen and Glocal Green have entered into a concrete cooperation agreement for the development and establishment of hydrogen production in connection with Glocal Green's planned bio-methanol plant in Øyer in Gudbrandsdalen.