The Rise of Alternative Fuels in Maritime Industry
Maritime aficionados are fond of suggesting that there will be an array of fuels instrumental in maritime business decarbonization. As we approach the International Maritime Organization meetings of its Maritime Environmental Protection Committee this July, stricter emission targets seem inevitable. Fast forward to the middle of 2023,— a couple of years after the alternative fuels wave in the wake of the 2021 COP26 meetings in Glasgow— and you’ll find several potential substitutes for fossil fuels undergoing trials and implementation.
Methanol: A Front-runner in Alternative Fuels Race
The term “winner” might be an overstatement, but methanol, in particular, is garnering significant interest as a maritime fuel. When it comes to bulk carriers, Cargill is paving the way by backing orders for dual-fueled vessels. In recent news, the Korean Register issued an Approval in Principle (AIP) for a medium-range tanker design that runs on methanol and marine diesel. In the meantime, Alfa Laval is spearheading various projects aimed at deploying methanol-fueled boilers on larger vessels.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Methanol Fueling
While methanol fueling presents considerable promise, obstacles exist, such as securing space for fuel storage. Smaller vessels are exploring the potential of hydrogen fuel cells, with E1 Marine showcasing a unique methanol-to-hydrogen generator designed to supply fuel cells onboard. European owners are even utilizing methanol-fed fuel cells for inland waterways confinement applications, as exemplified by the collaborative project with Advent Technologies and Meyer Werft.
The Future of Methanol Fueling: Tugs, Workboats, and Barges
When it comes to naval architecture design, firms like Glosten are probing the potential of methanol-fueled tugs and workboats. Lloyd’s Register has also been instrumental, particularly through the development of rules for methanol fueling and facilitating maritime decarbonization with methanol. Even industry giants like Maersk are joining the trend, locking in deals for massive quantities of methanol to fuel their new-generation containerships.
Taking into account the crucial role of barging in the fuel supply chain, Kirby Corporation is a notable player. It has reported conducting barge-to-ship methanol bunkerings of deep-sea vessels at the Port of Houston, indicate an increasing presence of methanol in maritime operations.
Methanol is now available at major shipping hubs, with its accessibility expected to widen further. Thus, tug operators and others who value the flexibility of fuel options may find dual-fuel internal combustion engines, which can burn methanol, an attractive technology.
Outlook for Methanol in Maritime Decarbonization
The challenges notwithstanding, methanol as a fuel source holds considerable promise for the maritime industry. Nevertheless, as Glosten’s representative James Soles indicates, market players are treading cautiously, seemingly hesitant to invest in new tugs at present but actively exploring their options. Regulations, such as U.S. emissions rules and California’s Air Resources Board, are key considerations in navigating the future of alternative fuels in maritime transport. For the likes of Lloyd’s Register, persisting “chicken and egg” conundrums emphasize methanol’s potential, bolstered further by its ever-improving accessibility. The fog is undoubtedly clearing on the pathway to maritime decarbonization, with methanol at the helm.
