Methanol News

This week, Rolls-Royce announced that it has successfully tested the world’s first high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol on its test bench in Friedrichshafen.Together with its partners in the meOHmare research project, Rolls-Royce says its engineers have therefore reached an important milestone on the road to climate-neutral and environmentally friendly propulsion solutions for shipping.Also this week, Everllence announced the world’s first conversion of its…

Everllence has announced the world’s first conversion of an Everllence B&W S90 two-stroke engine to dual-fuel methanol running following the successful sea-trials of COSCO Shipping Lines’ 20,000+ TEU container vessel, COSCO Shipping Libra.The vessel’s 11S90ME-C engine was retrofitted to an 11S90ME-LGIM (-Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) unit.Everllence PrimeServ – Everllence’s after-sales division – partnered with COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry from concept to execution in delivering the world’s first S90 methanol engine retrofit…

Rolls-Royce has successfully tested the world’s first high-speed marine engine powered exclusively by methanol on its test bench in Friedrichshafen.Together with their partners in the meOHmare research project, Rolls-Royce says its engineers have thus reached an important milestone on the road to climate-neutral and environmentally friendly propulsion solutions for shipping.The joint project meOHmare is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and combines the expertise of Rolls-Royce…

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a methanol fuel tank design concept developed by SRC Group, which uses a Sandwich Plate System (SPS) technology to almost double shipboard storage capacity for both methanol and ethanol.The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives.With the growing adoption of alternative fuels such as methanol in the maritime industry, the development of safe and efficient fuel storage solutions has become increasingly important.In contrast to traditional fuel tanks…

Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) has completed Korea’s first methanol bunkering for a dual-fuel bulk carrier at Ulsan Port.The STS for a bulk carrier, conducted on September 28, 2025, follows Ulsan Port’s world-first successful methanol bunkering demonstrations for container ships (PTS/STS) in 2023-2024.With the latest achievement, Ulsan Port has expanded its bunkering track record from container ships to bulk carriers.The operation was conducted for Green Future, a methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers…

Qingdao Beihai shipyard has ordered 10 × Everllence B&W 7G80ME-LGIM (Liquid Gas Injection Methanol) Mk 10.5 engines in connection with the construction of 10 × 325,000 dwt very large ore carriers (VLOC) for Chinese shipping companies, Shandong Shipping and Bohai Ocean Shipping.Each engine will come accompanied by an Everllence proprietary EGRTC (Exhaust Gas Recirculation – Turbocharger Cut-out) system for Tier III NOx compliance.Upon completion, the vessels will immediately go out on charter to Vale S.A.…

China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) has officially taken delivery of the world's first 9,300-car capacity methanol dual-fuel powered pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), CM Hong Kong.The 220-meter vessel was built by China Merchants Industry and will sail under the flag of Hong Kong. It has 13 cargo decks and is capable of transporting a wide range of cargo, including cars, trucks, buses, heavy machinery, and new energy vehicles fueled by hydrogen and natural gas.CM Hong Kong features a dual-fuel methanol main engine…

Sanmar Shipyards has launched the first of two of the world’s first large purpose-built dual fuel methanol escort tugs it is building for KOTUG Canada. KOTUG Canada is a partnership between KOTUG International B.V. and Canada's Horizon Maritime Inc.Based on the RAsalvor 4400-DFM design from Canadian naval architects Robert Allan Ltd, the two tugs—the first Sanmar has built for KOTUG Canada—will service Canada’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP), escorting tankers from the…

This week MarineLink reported that the Global Ethanol Association (GEA) has officially launched as an independent, non-profit international organization headquartered in Switzerland.GEA’s first flagship program is the Marine Fuel Sector Initiative, an industry led effort to transform ethanol’s market potential into commercial reality and establish it as a cornerstone of the sustainable marine fuel mix.Sylvain Zurcher, Co-Founder & President of the GEA, notes that the US is one of the world’s largest ethanol producers with strong infrastructure already in place.

MEYER RE has established a strategic partnership with Everllence to advance methanol retrofit solutions in the maritime industry.The collaboration focuses on the retrofitting of existing Everllence four-stroke engines and vessels, providing a practical solution for shipping companies transitioning towards greener fuel alternatives.Germany-based MEYER RE provides after sales support for cruise ships throughout their entire service life, modernization measures as well as the implementation of sustainable solutions and maintenance.Henning Jongebloed…

Everllence has announced the first order for its 175DF-M (dual-fuel methanol) engine for a superyacht currently under construction by an undisclosed European shipyard.Everllence’s scope of supply covers 2 × 12V175DF-M and 1 × 16V175DF-M variable-speed yacht gensets, including methanol fuel-supply systems. Delivery is scheduled for July 2027.The company reports that many customers from the ferry, cruise, offshore, tug, superyacht and governmental segments have shown a strong interest…

Norwegian shipowner Rem Offshore has launched the hull for its dual-fuel methanol energy subsea construction vessel (ESCV) Rem Pioneer in Vietnam, months ahead of schedule.The launch ceremony was held on June 27 at Song Cam shipyard in Vietnam.According to the company, hull construction will continue for a while, and outfitting will begin in the autumn at Myklebust Verft.Rem Pioneer ESCV will be delivered in 2026 and will be the first of its kind that can perform heavy construction…

ClassNK has issued world's first Approval in Principle (AiP) for LCO2-methanol carrier, jointly developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).The certification confirms the feasibility of the vessel, which is being developed for commercialization, from regulatory and safety perspectives. It marks the world’s first issuance of an AiP for a LCO2-methanol carrier.The vessel for which Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and MOL acquired AiP is based on a low-pressure LCO2 carrier.It aims to transport CO2…

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines have acquired Approval in Principle (AiP) from CLassNK for the design of their jointly developed liquefied CO2 (LCO2) and methanol carrier, a world first for this type of vessel.The vessel is based on a low-pressure LCO2 carrier. It aims to transport CO2, which serves as raw material, on outward voyages and synthetic methanol on return voyages.If dual transport of CO2 and methanol is achieved, empty-cargo trips can be eliminated…

Danish shipping group A.P. Moller - Maersk has named the first vessel in a series of 17,480 TEU vessels equipped with dual-fuel methanol propulsion, which will operate under the name of Berlin Mærsk.The naming event took place on June 18, at Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) yard in Ulsan, South Korea.Berlin Mærsk is the 14th dual-fuel newbuild entering the Maersk fleet, and it will be followed by additional five sister vessels in this new class of container ships.All six vessels in the series are being built by HHI with delivery in 2025.

Ocean Network Express (ONE) named the 13,900-TEU ONE Singapore, the sixth vessel in a series of 20 ammonia/methanol ready container vessels. The naming ceremony took place at the Hiroshima Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Japan, marking another milestone in ONE's fleet expansion program."Today's naming of ONE Singapore signifies further progress in our fleet expansion strategy," said Jeremy Nixon, CEO, ONE. "This vessel, carrying the name of our global headquarters city, symbolizes our strong connection to Singapore's vibrant maritime ecosystem.

The ICS Maritime Barometer Report 2024-2025, launched by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), reveals a steady decline in confidence among global maritime leaders to manage the risks posed by increasing political instability, alongside a growing hesitance to adopt new fuels.Now in its fourth year, the ICS Maritime Barometer draws on comprehensive survey data to identify the key risk areas shaping the strategic priorities of C-suite level leaders, shipowners and operators worldwide.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has taken delivery of the Kohzan Maru VII, a newbuilding dual-fuel methanol carrier, which will serve Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (MGC) under a long-term charter.The Kohzan Maru VII was delivered at HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard, where the naming ceremy took place.The vessel is the first methanol dual-fuel ocean-going vessel to sail under a long-term chartered by a Japanese charterer.Back in 1983, MOL and MGC introduced Japan’s first methanol dedicated carrier…

MAN Energy Solutions has announced the successful Type Approval Test (TAT) of its dual-fuel MAN L35/44DF engine for application as auxiliary Genset and electric propulsion at constant speeds, respectively, of 720 and 750rpm.The TAT involved the testing of both 35/44DF variants, namely the methane-capable 35/44DF CD and the methanol-ready 35/44CD.Testing took place from April 7 – 11 at the Changwon headquarters of STX Engine in South Korea with the participation of six classification societies.The L35/44DF CD engine is an upgraded version of the L35/44DF CR engine, first launched in 2015.

A methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from KAMBARA KISEN was delivered at the TSUNEISHI Factory in Japan.At the naming ceremony, held on May 13, Yuko Tsutsui, Managing Executive Officer and Chief Executive of Sustainability & Transformation Headquarters of NYK, named the vessel Green Future.The vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.Methanol has a lower environmental impact than fuel oil…

SCHOTTEL is equipping the world's first large purpose-built dual-fuel methanol escort tugs based on the Robert Allan Ltd. RASalvor 4400-DFM design for towage company KOTUG Canada with rudderpropellers featuring the mechanical hybrid solution SYDRIVE-M. The tugs—to be named SD Aisemaht and SD Qwiy Aanitsa Sarah—are currently in the final stages of construction at Turkish Sanmar Shipyards. After their completion in Q3 2025, they will service Canada’s Trans Mountain Expansion Project…

Japan's Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said the Tsuneishi Group (Zhoushan) Shipbuilding Inc. - its shipbuidling factory in China -  has completed the first block loading for its first Methanol-Fueled 5,900-TEU Type Container Carrier earlier this month.The 5,900-EU type container carrier is the largest container carrier built by Tsuneishi Shipbuidling Group. This vessel has a maximum capacity of 5,915 20-foot-equivalent-unit containers in the hold and on deck, and up to 1,400 reefer containers can also be loaded in response to increased demand in recent years.

The maritime industry has worked with a single fuel source for over a century and with the rush to meet emission standards in both domestic and foreign markets, adapting to the current list of alternative fuels is going to present significant problems. Each market has its issues whether bluewater, brownwater, coastal, foreign or domestic.Chose any of the larger global shipbuilding yards and the basic bluewater ship design will include a large two stroke combustion engine.To remove…