The international energy company Uniper is working with the shipping service provider Liberty Pier Maritime Projects and the engineering firm SDC (Ship Design & Consult) in order to develop green methanol as a maritime fuel.
Under their collaboration, the industry trio will form an open collaboration, the Green Methanol Cooperation (GMC).
The GMC will develop the infrastructure and logistics framework needed to supply methanol in Europe and establish the relevant shipping requirements.
“Providing and using green methanol as a fuel for the maritime industry is a logical step in the implementation of our hydrogen strategy within the wider framework of our decarbonization efforts. With Liberty Pier and SDC, we have gained two experienced and knowledgeable partners from the maritime industry who want to collaborate with us to establish green methanol as a maritime fuel on the market.”
….David Bryson, COO Uniper SE, said.
As explained, a medium-term goal of the GMC is to build ships that can burn green methanol in their engines. The project will initially focus on European coastal shipping using ships with a load capacity of 5300 and 8300 tons and container feeders.
“The targets for reducing CO2 emissions in shipping can be implemented rapidly and economically if we start with the technology on board and use green methanol as fuel.”
…Michael Wächter, Managing Director SDC, added.
To remind, as a hydrogen carrier, green methanol is easier to transport and store than green hydrogen. It burns clean, is liquid at ambient temperatures and pressures and is also biodegradable.
Specifically, green methanol is carbon-neutral overall, as it is produced using hydrogen from renewable sources and CO2 from the atmosphere via a biological feedstock or direct air capture.
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In light of the above, the three companies have committed to using a completely digitalized and transparent approach to their collaboration, allowing them to forge ahead with the project in accordance with the Poseidon Principles and ESG principles.
“Working with Uniper and SDC in an open collaboration reflects the current requirements for European short-sea shipping — all parties involved, from suppliers, tonnage providers and regulators through asset providers and shipping agents, need to work together to further develop and modernize this sector.”
…as Dietrich Schulz, CEO Liberty Pier, noted.
Concluding, all three partners are certain that green methanol will play an important role in the maritime fuels sector in the future.
