The Week in Alt Fuels: Methanol, LNG and LPG moves being made
A steady week across alternative fuels saw incremental advances in infrastructure, vessel orders, and engine technologies shaping the multi-fuel landscape for bunker buyers.
IMAGE: An Ørsted vessel in the Port of Immingham, UK. Exolum
Methanol availability expanded as a trio of companies launched biomethanol bunkering in the British Port of Immingham, adding a tangible new node for European supply. In Asia, MOL and its partners hit a regional operational milestone by completing Japan's first ship-to-ship (STS) methanol bunkering at anchorage.
On the demand side, tonnage is slowly materialising to absorb this supply. NYK Line is moving forward with plans to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by operating a bulk carrier on biomethanol.
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs launched a new wind-assisted methanol dual-fuel RoRo vessel, pairing new engine tech with wind propulsion to curb its fuel costs and emissions. Oceanbird secured its first commercial order for its wind-assisted wing sails.
LNG infrastructure and fleet dual-fuel capability continued to expand. BBG launched a new bio-LNG loading facility in the Spanish Port of Bilbao, giving buyers a mass-balanced option to lower emissions towards EU regulations.
The LNG-capable vessel orderbook got new entries as Maersk ordered eight LNG dual-fuel container ships, which could run on LNG, bio-LNG or conventional fuels from 2029-2030.
More LNG bunker delivery vessels are needed to refuel this growing LNG dual-fuel fleet. A Chinese shipyard has secured an order to build three new LNG bunker vessels for an unnamed buyer.
LPG also made slow progress. MOL took delivery of an LPG dual-fuel gas carrier, while Petredec and Carnot Engines have partnered to develop LPG-capable engines for ships.
In the ammonia space, the National University of Singapore launched a new ammonia engine project, a reminder that while the fuel holds promise, there is still work to be done to mature ammonia engine technology.
By Erik Hoffmann
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