NovaAlgoma’s methanol dual-fuel cement carrier to generate sustainable electricity onboard

NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers (NACC), a cement shipping joint venture between Italian-Swiss Nova Marine Group and Canada’s Algoma Central Corporation, has opted for a system to generate sustainable electricity on board its methanol dual-fuel cement carrier currently being built in China.

On December 9, 2024, Swedish product company Climeon said it received an order for Climeon’s HeatPower 300 system, an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) waste heat recovery technology, to be installed as owner-furnished equipment (OFE) on the 38,000 dwt newbuild.

Ordered in July this year, the dual-fuel cement carrier—described as “the largest cement carrier ever” —is under construction at Zhejiang Xingle Shipbuilding. The order includes two identical options.

Once completed in late 2026, the ship will be 179.9 meters long, 31 meters wide and will have a draft of 9.5 meters.

In addition to waste heat recovery technology, the RINA-classed vessel will be equipped with a shore power system, a ballast water treatment system, and an air lubrication system, setting a new benchmark for sustainable shipping in the cement industry.

Specifically, the HeatPower 300 unit will generate up to 300 kW of sustainable electricity on board the cement carrier by harnessing low-grade waste heat from the engine cooling water and exhaust gases.

By reclaiming energy that would otherwise be lost in conventional operations, this solution reduces fuel consumption and emissions, directly supporting the shipping company’s sustainability objectives.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with NACC on this pioneering vessel, which marks the first cement carrier to feature our HeatPower 300 system,” Fredrik Thoren, EVP and Head of Marine at Climeon, commented.

“This collaboration underscores the flexibility of our technology in delivering both environmental and economic benefits across a broad range of vessel types.”

“At NACC we’re committed to setting a standard for sustainable, energy-efficient operations,” Francesco Costagliola, Technical Director at NovaAlgoma, said.

“Integrating Climeon’s waste heat recovery technology not only supports our sustainability goals but also provides a practical way to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations while enhancing operational efficiency.”

This installation is said to support the maritime industry’s transition to cleaner, more efficient technologies and fuels. The solution captures engine waste heat, regardless of fuel type, providing economic and environmental benefits for NACC’s dual-fuel vessel.