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Charting the Course for Methanol in Maritime Operations
International maritime transport accounts for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with many cargo vessels powered by diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO)1. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the European Union and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others, have called for a reduction in GHG emissions from commercial oceangoing vessels, ferries, cruise ships and inland waterway vessels. In response, the maritime industry is adopting new technologies aimed at lowering criteria emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) in addition to GHG emissions2.
With these measures continuing to impact investments and technology advancements in the maritime sector over the next decade, maritime companies are considering alternative fuels such as methanol.
An Alternative Pathway to Lower GHG Emissions
Used in thousands of everyday products, methanol is a clear liquid that is water-soluble and readily biodegradable3 and can also be used as a fuel. It has the highest hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of any liquid fuel, which lowers CO2 emissions from combustion when compared to traditional fuel4. As alternatives go, methanol is easier to store and handle than liquified natural gas (LNG), ammonia and hydrogen.
The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992 considers methanol an alternative fuel and the maritime industry is currently investigating its use as marine fuel5. As this research progresses, shipbuilders are factoring in important safety considerations for new engine design requirements and mechanical modifications that will make it possible to broadly utilize methanol as fuel.
Safety Considerations and Environmental Effects
Modifications to the infrastructure that’s historically been used for traditional marine fuels are essential for making this transition. Safety is one of the top concerns, primarily because methanol’s low flash point (11°C compared to HFO’s 60 °C to 93 °C) means it’s more flammable and presents a higher risk onboard. As a result, methanol use must comply with LNG safety standards.
Important safety requirements for equipping methanol-capable vessels include accommodating the location of the methanol tank as well as employing a double-walled fuel tank, fuel equipment protection, spill containment, firefighting and vapor and fire detection measures. Additionally, oxidation catalyst functionality is required to address formaldehyde in methanol-fueled emissions, which can impact future shipbuilding design and construction needs as well.
Physical considerations are also significant. Methanol’s energy density is 2.3 times lower than the density of diesel, so tank volume must double in size to carry enough methanol to maintain the same vessel endurance. For small vessels like tugs that are 20 to 30 meters in length, trying to fit the same fuel volume in a compact design poses a unique challenge. Solving for how to accommodate a lower energy-density fuel during vessel design and construction is important as the tradeoff is more frequent refueling, which could impact vessel utilization. Using methanol onboard also requires more equipment and technologies.
Developing Methanol-Powered Vessels with Damen Shipyards
Caterpillar Marine and Cat® dealer Pon Power are collaborating with Damen Shipyards Group through a memorandum of understanding to pilot new methanol-fueled propulsion systems in The Netherlands6. The companies share lessons learned related to methanol bunkering, storage and management as well as issues related to powering a methanol-capable vessel.
The energy transition efforts of maritime operators significantly impact shipbuilding. From new systems to infrastructure changes, shipbuilders and vessel owners will need to adopt new approaches to leverage methanol in their operations.
1 U.S. Department of Energy. Sustainable Marine Fuels. https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/sustainable-marine-fuels .
2 Eagle.org. ABS Methanol as a Marine Fuel white paper. https://absinfo.eagle.org/acton/media/16130/sustainability-whitepaper-methanol-as-marine-fuel.
3 Methanol Institute. About Methanol. https://www.methanol.org/about-methanol/.
4 Eagle.org. ABS Methanol as a Marine Fuel white paper. https://absinfo.eagle.org/acton/media/16130/sustainability-whitepaper-methanol-as-marine-fuel.
5 U.S. Department of Energy. Alternative Fuels Data Center. https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/emerging-methanol.
5 Cat.com. Press Release: Damen Shipyards Group and Caterpillar Sign Memorandum of Understanding Aiming to Develop Methanol-Powered Vessels. https://www.cat.com/en_US/news/engine-press-releases/damen-shipyards-group-and-caterpillar-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-aiming-to-develop-methanol-powered-vessels.html.