E-methanol powered ship ordered

Japan shipping firm Kambara Kisen has ordered a bulk carrier that is designed to be powered by e-methanol.

Slated to be delivered in 2027, the vessel is designed to use e-methanol produced primarily by synthesizing recovered CO2 and hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources, and bio-methanol derived from biogas. The use of methanol derived from non-fossil raw materials significantly reduces GHG emissions, compared to heavy oil-fueled and similar-size conventional vessels. The vessel will feature a dual-fuel combustion main engine that can run on methanol, or heavy oil as a backup fuel.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said its group company MOL Drybulk Ltd. and Kambara Kisen Co., Ltd. signed a basic agreement on time charter for a newbuilding methanol dual fuel bulk carrier to be ordered and owned by Kambara Kisen.

CG rendering of the newbuilding methanol dual fuel bulk carrier.

The company said the vessel’s design maximizes cargo space while ensuring sufficient methanol tank capacity set to allow the required navigational distance assuming various routes, at the same time maximizing cargo space. The vessel is expected to serve mainly in the transport of biomass fuels from the east coast of North America to Europe and the U.K. and within the Pacific region, as well as grain from the east coast of South America and the U.S. Gulf Coast to Europe and the Far East.

MOL has established the “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2” and set the goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. One of the key strategies to achieve this goal includes the “adoption of clean alternative fuels,” and MOL Group aims to have 90 LNG/methanol-fueled vessels in service by 2030. In addition, with growing worldwide interest in methanol fuel as a promising clean energy source, it will promote its initiatives to secure the necessary capacity, not only in terms of fleet planning of methanol dual fuel vessels, but also in procurement of low and decarbonized methanol fuel.