Vessel Orders Could Outpace Green Methanol Supply

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Methanol fuelled fleet will grow from 2% to 4% of the global fleet according to Drewry and Clarksons data.

One of the world’s leading methanol suppliers has highlighted a gap between expected production of green methanol, derived from renewable hydrogen and captured carbon, and the number of ships expected to be delivered with capability to use the carbon-neutral fuel. Proman executive director corporate finance Andrew Craig noted “a significant delta” between projected green methanol demand and availability.

According to data provided to ICS by Drewry and Clarksons, the methanol-fuelled fleet will grow from 2% to 14% of the global fleet based on orders already placed. Clarksons director of market research Trevor Moore noted: “Methanol fuel has been gaining traction this year, especially for containerships. New technologies and fuels are emerging but timing the transition remains a challenge.”

Green methanol projects

The Methanol Institute is tracking more than 90 publicly announced green methanol projects, while Proman is building the world’s largest waste to bio-methanol plant in Varennes, Canada and has been looking at potential sites in Europe and the UK in the past month alone.

Methanol demand 

Craig anticipated that more than 100 such ships will be in service from 2024, representing around a million tonnes of additional methanol demand. Based on current orders, that could reach 10 million tonnes by 2027.

While lower carbon methanol can offer all the air pollution abatement benefits of green methanol and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, Craig noted that mechanisms to certify low-carbon fuels were needed to enable its contribution to compliance goals.

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Source : Ics shipping