Maritime technology group Wärtsilä on Tuesday (14 April) said it is marking five years of successful operation of the methanol-fuelled ferry Stena Germanica with Stena, and Methanex Corporation.
It adds this is the first ship in the world to run on methanol as a marine fuel, signifying a major milestone in the continued shift towards a more sustainable future for commercial shipping in line with the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.
Stena Germanica was converted to be capable of running on methanol fuel in early 2015 at Remontowa Shipyard in Poland, says Wärtsilä.
The 240-metre long ferry, with a capacity for 1500 passengers and 300 cars, was retrofitted with a first-of-its-kind fuel-flexible Wärtsilä 4-stroke engine that can run on methanol or traditional marine fuels, it adds.
The company notes the ferry began the world’s first methanol-powered sailings between Gothenburg, Sweden and Kiel, Germany in late-March 2015.
“Being the owner of the world’s first ship with methanol-fuel represented a great step on our journey to become the leader in sustainable shipping, and is an achievement we are very pleased to share as we mark the five-year anniversary of Stena Germanica’s successful operation on methanol,” says Carl-Johan Hagman, Head of Shipping & Ferries at Stena AB.
“Stena Germanica’s retrofit is yet another example of Wärtsilä’s leading position in bringing to the market innovative systems that increase efficiency and support environmental sustainability,” comments Toni Stojcevski, General Manager, Sales & Development, Wärtsilä Marine.
“The use of methanol as a marine fuel is likely to increase in the future, and high quality, reliable, smart technologies are essential to success.”
As part of its programme aimed at the enablement of viable sustainable fuels, Wärtsilä says it is continuing to invest in methanol for marine fuel applications, and further development work and testing procedures are planned.
Starting January 1, 2020, restrictions on Sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions were launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) globally, it says.
As a marine fuel, methanol is compliant with the IMO’s 2020 regulations by reducing Sulphur oxides (SOx) by approximately 99%, and has the ability to meet Tier III Nitrogen oxide (NOx) regulations without exhaust after-treatment, explains Wärtsilä.
It adds that methanol is already well positioned globally as a marine fuel, as it is available at more than 88 of the world’s top 100 ports.
“Our aim has always been to take a leadership position by being at the forefront of innovation in commercial shipping,” says Stuart McCall, Director, Business Development at Methanex.
“Thanks to projects like this, methanol has been proven as a safe, reliable, and cost-effective marine fuel, and we continue to uncover innovative technological advances that optimise the performance and efficiency of the fuel as the market for methanol-powered vessels keeps growing”.
Methanol also offers a clear pathway towards meeting future carbon reduction targets in 2030 and 2050 when produced from renewable sources, adds Wärtsilä.
Stena Germanica’s conversion was a cooperation between Methanex Corporation, Stena Line, Wärtsilä, the Port of Gothenburg, and the Port of Kiel, it says.
The company notes the project was co-financed by the European Union, and the classification of the conversion to methanol was conducted by Lloyd’s Register.
In the five years since Stena Germanica’s launch, the market for methanol-powered vessels has seen continued growth, it adds.
Related: IMO makes progress towards including methanol in gas-fuelled ship code
Related: Methanol Institute gives nod to ISO spec review at IMO
Photo credit: Stena
Published: 15 April, 2020
