Hy2Gen collaborates with MOL on e-methanol study

German renewable fuels maker Hy2Gen and Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have agreed to conduct a joint study on supply of e-methanol as a maritime fuel.PHOTO: E-methanol production concept. Hy2Gen

E-methanol will be produced at Hy2Gen’s production site in Friesoythe, Germany, the company said. Production at the facility, which is a part of Hy2Gen’s ‘Nautilus’ project', is expected to begin in early 2028.

"We are proud to become a close partner and supplier to such a global player in the shipping industry. We are looking forward to supporting MOL with our products," Hy2Gen’s chief executive officer Cyrill Dufau-Sansot said.

"The renewable methanol from Friesoythe will be important for the decarbonisation of the shipping industry worldwide," he added.

E-methanol, or synthetic methanol, is produced using 100% biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) and green hydrogen. The biogenic CO2 is typically captured through either bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) or through direct air capture (DAC).

E-methanol produced by this method is virtually free of greenhouse gases and can cut a vessel's CO2 emissions by 95% compared to conventional marine fuels on a well-to-wake basis.

Methanol is gaining acceptance as a cleaner alternative fuel in the shipping sector.

Last month, MOL agreed to charter a methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier from Japan’s Tsuneishi Group's shipping arm Kambara Kisen. MOL plans to operate 90 LNG or methanol-fuelled vessels by 2030 and aims to secure supply deal for green methanol, the company said in a statement last month.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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