All ship shape as consortium charters a course towards ‘green’ fuel

A Dutch consortium has successfully started an engine test programme on 100% methanol.

The Green Maritime Methanol consortium, made up of Dutch shipping providers and professional bodies, has been looking into the application for renewable methanol as a maritime transport fuel since early last year.

Green methanol has been touted as a future fuel for the shipping industry as it is widely available, it can be made in a sustainable way, the fuel is easily storable and it can be used in engines with minor changes.

Pon Power started its tests using a Caterpillar 3508 gas engine that was modified to be used on 100% methanol as a fuel. New tests are being planned.

In the coming months, Pon Power and the Netherlands’ Defence Academy (NLDA) will continue to perform further engine testing.

More engine tests will be executed, providing essential data for several future ship designs and propulsion trains on board.

The University of Ghent is one of the early movers in the research for methanol as a transport fuel for shipping.

The project is supported by TKI Maritiem and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and runs until December this year.