Archive
- April 2019
- March 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- June 2015
- April 2015
- December 2014
- October 2014
- August 2014
- May 2014
- February 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- June 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- January 2012
- May 2011
Sustainable Marine Methanol solutions for smaller vessels
SUMMETH, the Sustainable Marine Methanol project, which investigated and advanced development of methanol engine and fuel solutions for smaller ships, has recently been completed and the final reports are now available. The project concludes that methanol can be used efficiently as a combustion fuel for smaller vessels, resulting in significant environmental benefits. Particulate emissions are greatly reduced, there are no sulphur emissions, and large reductions in GHG emissions are possible if renewable methanol is used. SSPA was project manager and contributed work on environmental assessments, feasibility of sustainable methanol supply, and safety assessment.
SUMMETH was carried out to investigate and develop methanol engine and fuel solutions for smaller ships and to assess the environmental benefits and feasibility of transporting and supplying sustainable methanol as ship fuel. Although methanol is now used in dual fuel solutions on a few large vessels such as the Stena Germanica, it had not been tested on smaller vessels. The SUMMETH project included experimental testing of several methanol concepts for smaller engines, in the 250 to 1200 kW range, and also developed a design for conversion of a Swedish road ferry to methanol operation. The project showed that the use of methanol fuel in small vessels is feasible and results in significant environmental benefits as compared to conventional fuel oil.
More information about the SUMMETH project, including the final reports, can be found at summeth.marinemethanol.com
Photo
The Swedish road ferry Saturnus. Photo: Truls Persson, The Swedish Transport Administration.
Methanol as an alternative fuel for smaller vessels
Interest in methanol as an alternative fuel for meeting emissions requirements continues to grow. Methanol is a good alternative for smaller ships operating on coastal and inland waterways, but has yet to be tested in these applications. SSPA is coordinator of the project, “SUMMETH", which is focused on developing methanol solutions for smaller vessels.
Methanol and Ethanol as Marine Fuels
A study for the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on the use of methanol and ethanol as marine fuels has been completed by SSPA, together with sub-contractor Lloyds Register. The study evaluates the potential of these alternative fuels as solutions for shipping to meet more stringent emissions requirements.