Methanol powered dual fuel ships

United Heavy Lift sets sights on methanolpowered dualfuel ships

Germany-based multipurpose shipping company United Heavy Lift (UHL) prefers methanol as marine fuel for its future fleet of vessels, Andreas Rolner, Managing Director of the company revealed. The company is currently working on various newbuilding projects in an effort “to become the most sustainable player in its market segment”.

UHL has already developed designs for its next-gen vessels that will comply with the latest environmental regulations. The innovative ship concepts are larger than the current units in the UHL fleet, in line with the new market requirements, according to Rolner. “New ships will certainly be IMO Tier III compliant but we are also looking at dual-fuel engines,” Rolner said.

Alternative fuel

“It is now the question which path one should take — green methanol, ammonia and hydrogen. It is still difficult to say which one.” Rolner added that UHL is in ongoing contact with engine manufacturers to explore what will be the most suitable technology of the future. He further explained that the problem is that United Heavy Lift operates worldwide and therefore needs to have a guarantee that a certain alternative fuel will be available in enough quantities. Therefore, dual-fuel propulsion is the right option for the company. When asked about preferences regarding alternative future fuels, UHL Managing Director said it is methanol.

“I think that we go in the direction of methanol… The product is not yet available on the market but we are confident that it will change in the coming years,” Rolner pointed out.

Future proof

In order to make its existing ships fu-

“I think that we go in the direction of methanol. The product is not yet available on the market but we are confident that it will change in the coming years,” says Andreas Rolner, Managing Director of United Heavy Lift.

ture-proof, UHL is considering fleet optimization to further reduce emissions. Moreover, the company wants to convert its ships to Tier III, however, it says that this will require a huge investment. UHL provides ocean transportation services for heavy lift, breakbulk and project cargo. It currently has a fleet of 22 vessels, including 17 F900 ECO-Lifter type units, three 19,000 dwt vessels and two 12,000 dwt ships. In addition, UHL’s sister companies United Heavy Transport (UHT) company and United Wind Logistic (UWL) operate deck carriers and semi-submersibles, respectively.

Methanol (CH3OH) is water-soluble and readily biodegradable, comprising four parts hydrogen, one part oxygen, and one part carbon, and is the simplest member of a group of organic chemicals called alcohols. Its benefits such as fungibility, availability, energy density and most importantly, the ability to significantly reduce emissions immediately put it in the spotlight of maritime decarbonisation, according to a recent report published by clean energy financial services firm Longspur Research.

Emissions

Shipping is said to generate over one billion tons of emissions through carbon dioxide (CO2) and airborne pollutants such as sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrous oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, and methanol is said to be able

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to cut these emissions by over 60% thanks to its clean-burning qualities. Moreover, methanol produced from natural gas offers an initial 10-15% CO2 saving, rising to over 90% when using renewable methanol. Between 2020 and 2021, methanol as a marine fuel has become one of the frontrunners instead of being just one of the obscure alternative fuel options. The first quarter of 2022 already suggests that methanol will dominate the shipping discourse in the months and even years ahead. Since the beginning of the year, numerous projects have been launched focusing on methanol as a promising future fuel for ships.

Industry

Engine manufacturers, shipbuilders, shipping companies, class societies, fuel suppliers are all working together to accelerate the development of methanol-powered ships, infrastructure and enable methanol’s wider commercial application.

On 10 March 2022, Danish shipping and logistics giant Maersk hit the headlines as it entered six separate strategic partnerships to secure green fuel supply for its fleet of twelve new 16,000 TEU methanol-powered boxships. The company intends to source at least 730,000 tonnes/year by end of 2025. Recently, another significant methanol ship project was announced when six Japanese companies decided to form a strategic alliance aimed at reducing environmental impact through the development of Japan’s first methanol-fueled tanker. The alliance partners are Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), MOL Coastal Shipping, Tabuchi Kaiun, Niihama Kaiun, Murakami Hide Shipbuilding, and The Hanshin Diesel Works. The newbuild is slated for delivery in 2024.

By Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

Danish shipping and logistics giant Maersk is investing in methanol-powered boxships