BV launches well-to-wake future fuels study

Bureau Veritas (BV) has launched a detailed outlook on future maritime fuels in a new 85-page white paper, which calls for a well-to-wake (WtW) approach to assessing the climate impact and sustainability of alternative fuels. This is one of the key conclusions of the white paper, which evaluates alternative fuels such as methanol, LNG, biofuels,

Maersk orders six additional methanol-fuelled boxships

Maersk has ordered a further six large ocean-going vessels that can sail on green methanol and has said prices for this new form of propulsion are coming down. The six vessels will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and have a nominal capacity of approximately 17,000 teu and are set to replace existing capacity

Vard gets nod from DNV for methanol-powered WTIV design

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has been awarded approval in principle from class society DNV for the design of its methanol-powered wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV). The so-called VARD 4 52 design features a methanol-electric system, which, together with a large battery pack, can reduce the CO2 footprint by up to 90%, Vard said. The vessel has

Converting ships to alternative fuels feasible and cost-effective

Converting containership vessels to alternative fuels is technically and economically feasible, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping said citing findings of a new report. As the industry moves to decarbonize its fleet, numerous questions remain to be answered on the best pathways for shipowners given the uncertainty in relation to the future fuel

RoRo vessel to operate on methanol fuel

MOVE Logistics Group in New Zealand plans to order a new coastal RORO vessel capable of running on methanol fuel. Earlier in 2022, MOVE secured $10 million in co-investment funds from transport agency Waka Kotahi to support coastal shipping initiatives that reduce freight sector greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience. Waka Kotahi has endorsed the

Ørsted moves ahead with FlagshipONE e-methanol project

A project to provide sustainable e-methanol for the maritime sector has received the environmental permit for building the first large-scale production facility in the municipality of Örnsköldsvik in northeast Sweden. The project, called FlagshipONE and jointly owned by Swedish power-to-fuel player Liquid Wind and Danish utility Ørsted, is expected to be commissioned in 2024 and

Methanol Institute gets another member from Norway

American cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (Norwegian) has become the newest member of the Methanol Institute (MI), a global trade association for the methanol industry. Norwegian operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. The company has a combined fleet of 29 ships and eight additional ships on order

Freudenberg gets methanol-powered fuel cell type approval for ships

Germany’s Freudenberg e-Power Systems has achieved a significant milestone in the development of methanol-powered fuel cell systems for ships by receiving a type approval certificate from the international classification society RINA. Freudenberg e-Power Systems’ approach to using methanol for marine applications combines highly efficient fuel reforming technology with a long-life PEM fuel cell in a

Europe’s first electromethanol hub set to be launched by 2025

Gothenburg Port Authority is collaborating with Stena Line, DFDS, Ørsted and Liquid Wind to establish Europe’s first electromethanol (e-fuels) hub with a planned launch date of 2025. Liquid Wind and Ørsted’s emethanol production facility FlagshipONE is in late-stage development and approaching a final investment decision. It will be the largest e-fuels facility in the world,

Rolls-Royce, Sanlorenzo to collaborate for methanol propulsion

Engine maker Rolls-Royce and Italian yacht builder Sanlorenzo are looking to work together on a large luxury yacht that will be powered by two methanol-fuelled mtu engines. The first yacht developed under the new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to make its maiden voyage in 2026. The methanol engine, which is expected to be spark ignited,