Continuing the trend towards methanol adoption in the shipping industry, Maersk recently revealed an order for six mid-sized containerships equipped with dual-fuel engines capable of running on green methanol. In a similar vein, Wärtsilä has announced a contract with Swedish ferry operator Stena Line to undertake methanol-fueling conversions for some of its vessels, as reported by Marine Log.
Green fleet transformation
Maersk is continuing its green fleet transformation by placing an order for six 9,000 TEU ships, set to be delivered in 2026 and 2027. These vessels, like Maersk’s previous orders, will be capable of running on green methanol fuel. With this order, Maersk now has a total of 25 methanol-enabled vessels on order, accounting for a significant portion of the global order book of over 100 such vessels. In line with their commitment to using sustainable fuels, Maersk also has plans to retrofit existing ships for methanol fueling, as part of their aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
Stena line methanol retrofits
Stena Line, a ferry operator based in Sweden, has been a proponent of methanol fueling for a long time. In 2015, they became the first ferry operator to run a ferry on methanol. Their commitment to renewable fuels continues with the order of two new battery-hybrid vessels for the Irish Sea route, which will also be fueled by methanol. Stena Line aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 and has secured future volumes of e-methanol to achieve this goal. Wärtsilä, a technology company, has been contracted to carry out methanol-fueling conversions for an undisclosed number of Stena Line vessels. These conversions will make the ferries compliant with various regulations, including the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), FuelEU Maritime, and the IMO 2050 GHG reduction target. The contracts were recently booked by Wärtsilä in June 2023.
Methanol-fueling conversion project
Stena Line and Wärtsilä are collaborating on a methanol-fueling conversion project to support Stena Line’s decarbonization strategy. Stena Line sees methanol as a viable alternative fuel to achieve their sustainability goals. Wärtsilä, with its proven expertise in conversions, will handle the project. The companies have previously collaborated on the successful methanol conversion of the Stena Germanica. Wärtsilä is committed to developing engines capable of utilizing carbon-neutral and zero-carbon fuels. The scope of Wärtsilä’s supply package includes various components such as fuel tank instrumentation, transfer pumps, fuel valve trains, and automation systems. The conversions of Stena Line vessels are planned for 2025.
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Source: Marine Log
