The potential of methanol as a competitive marine fuel

Abstract

The environmental demands on the marine industry are getting tougher. At the start of the year 2015 the maximum permitted sulphur content in ships exhaust gas are lowered. Exhaust emissions from marine vessels are regulated by MARPOL. The regulation generally states that the maximum sulphur content in marine fuels will be lowered from 1,0 % to 0,1 %. This applies for vessels that operate within a Sulphur Emission Control Area. The purpose of this study is to chart the potential of methanol as a marine fuel within the North European Sulphur Emission Control Area. To achieve this, a series of sub-questions has been constructed. The sub-questions are answered with a literature study, an electronic survey and by two interviews. The results of this study indicate that the preconditions for the development of methanol propulsion are in progress. The engine-manufacturers can supply several different types of methanol powered engines. IMO (International Maritime Organization) is currently working on a regulatory framework which will cover the use of methanol aboard merchant vessels. According to the electronic survey and the two interviews there is a small certain interest to invest in methanol-propulsion. The current price of methanol is relatively high but according to the interviews this is expected to fall in a near future.