Trio develops methanol-powered bulk carrier

A methanol-fueled bulk carrier has been designed in a joint development project (JDP) between US classification society ABS, Singapore’s ship owner and operator SDTR Marine and China’s ship design institute Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI).

The three partners have introduced the 85,000 dwt bulker in an effort to help decarbonize the shipping sector and speed up its transition to alternative marine fuels such as methanol.

As explained, SDTR supplied key operational data and SDARI developed the design with ABS support and review.

ABS also provided an analysis of methanol as fuel market outlook, including a vessel performance evaluation in various operating scenarios including under the European Union Emissions Trading System (Fuel EU, ETS).

“Methanol is a fuel which has genuine potential to contribute to shipping’s decarbonization goals… We are delighted to be able to use our experience to support this project,” Pier Carazzai, ABS Vice President, Pacific Regional Business Development, commented.

“The joint development of the methanol-fueled 85,000 dwt bulker with SDARI and ABS is an important step for SDTR in our process in achieving a zero-carbon fleet in the future,” Gao Dehui, CEO of SDTR Marine Pte Ltd, said.

“As one of the popular neo-Panamax bulk carriers, the 85,000 dwt BC designed by SDARI has achieved good market response. As of 2021, 37 construction contracts have been signed. Taking into account the decarbonization requirements of the shipping industry, SDARI has developed a series of new energy fuel solutions for bulk carriers. The 85,000 DWT BC, which uses methanol as fuel, is one of them,” Wang GangYi, Chief Engineer of SDARI, noted.

“The advantages of methanol are mainly reflected in the lower transformation cost, and through the ratio of gray methanol and green methanol, it can meet the requirements of GHG emission reduction in 2050.”