Sirius Shipping to install MMT’s FuelOpt system on methanol-ready tanker duo

August 20, 2024, by Fatima Bahtić

Swedish shipping company Sirius Shipping has decided to install Manta Marine Technologies’ (MMT) FuelOpt system on two Sirius Evolution product/chemical tankers.

The pair of 15,000 dwt vessels will be chartered by Preem Shipping to form “the backbone of its next-generation system” for sustainable marine transportation.

The company signed a time charter contract with Preem for two methanol-ready ships in June this year. They will be built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Yangzho.

Preem seeks to adopt a just-in-time (JIT) approach to marine transportation, adjusting vessel speed to ensure ships arrive at their destination when required. The company noted that it wants to avoid burning extra fuel to arrive early only to wait to enter port.

According to MMT, FuelOpt is expected to provide that the vessel sails with the target speed, set up by the voyage instructions, to be able to meet the JIT arrival.

This will ensure that vessels are unlikely to use more fuel than is necessary by minimizing the likelihood of early arrival at the next port of call and necessitating wait times. The aim is to reduce emissions and help advance environmentally friendly operations.

MMT also highlighted that the system could provide up to 10% fuel-saving benefits should Sirius choose in future to convert the methanol-ready vessels to use methanol as a fuel.

“Sirius Shipping and MMT are united in our goal of reducing emissions from shipping and we are delighted they have chosen FuelOpt™ for these innovative new builds. After eight years of first-hand experience with FuelOpt™, the latest orders from Sirius demonstrate the strong reputation and operational value of the system,” Richard Bjercke, MMT’s Chief Commercial Officer, said.

“Our Pathway-to-Zero commitment is central to our ethos and activities at Sirius Shipping. Minimising vessel emissions through a focus on operational efficiency makes commercial and environmental sense, while also reducing the volumes of green fuels we will require in the future to meet our zero emissions goal,” Jonas Backman, Sirius Shipping Managing Director, stated.

The two product/chemical tankers will be delivered in the second half of 2026.