Sweden’s Erik Thun Group wants to run LNG-fuelled ships on e-methane

Swedish freight vessel operator Erik Thun Group and methane producer Electrochea discuss an e-methane offtake agreement for Erik Thun vessels.

PHOTO: Erik Thun's LNG-powered freight vessel called Greenland. Cryonorm

The e-methane will be produced by Electrochaea’s Danish subsidiary BioCAT Roslev Ap.

E-methane, or synthetic methane, is produced by combining green hydrogen and 100% biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2). In this case, green hydrogen will be produced using electricity from renewable wind energy. The green hydrogen will then be processed into e-methane by combining it with biogenic CO2 captured during biogas production at the Rybjerg Biogas plant in Denmark.

Cleaner alternative to LNG

E-methane has virtually zero well-to-tank emissions since it is produced from green hydrogen and captured CO2. It is susceptible to methane emissions when burned on ships, but unlike fossil LNG, it does not have well-to-tank methane emissions due to its synthetic origin. Methane slip from ship engines can be controlled through technological advancements, effectively making e-methane virtually emission-free compared to fossil LNG on a well-to-wake basis.

Both e-methane and LNG are methane molecules that are produced in different ways. It is possible to use e-methane as a drop-in fuel in LNG-capable vessels without the need for any modifications. It can replace LNG as a bunker fuel to significantly lower a vessel’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Existing LNG vessel owners will especially benefit from using e-methane as a bunker fuel since the EU's Emission Trading System (ETS) will include shipping's methane emissions from 2026. In addition, since the bunker fuel will be produced using renewable hydrogen as a feedstock, it will qualify as a renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO) under the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation that goes into effect next year.

“Erik Thun AB plans to use e-methane to replace fossil-based LNG fuel, allowing Erik Thun AB to operate its existing LNG fleet without replacing its propulsion systems to accommodate other renewable fuels,” the company said in a joint statement.

By Konica Bhatt

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