MSC Group “actively exploring and trialling a range of alternative fuels and technologies”; considers methanol to be one of the key long-term solutions available
MSC Group has joined the Methanol Institute (MI) alongside Oldendorff Carriers. MI said MSC Group and Oldendorff join a “growing roster of shipping companies actively exploring the use of methanol as a marine fuel in preparation for an environment in which greenhouse gas emissions and carbon intensity will be subject to tighter regulatory control”.
“MSC is actively exploring and trialling a range of alternative fuels and technologies on top of some significant energy-efficiency improvements across its fleet and considers methanol to be one of the key long-term solutions available,” said MSC Group executive vice president, maritime policy and government affairs Bud Darr. “In addition to exploring strategic partnerships with technology and energy providers, MSC contributes to the work of initiatives that are designed to facilitate cross-sector information sharing.”
“MI is delighted to welcome Oldendorff and MSC as our newest members, we are pleased to see more of the world’s best-known and influential shipowners and operators recognising the potential that methanol has as a marine fuel for today and tomorrow,” said MI chief executive Gregory Dolan. “IMO regulation is driving change and the interest in methanol is growing very fast as a result, not least because it is one of only two available fuel choices for reducing emissions now.”
This comes on the back of news that MSC and Shell International Petroleum Company (Shell) have agreed to work together to help accelerate the decarbonisation of the global shipping sector.
MSC said the companies plan to develop a range of safe, sustainable and competitive technologies that can reduce emissions from existing assets and help to enable a net-zero emissions future for shipping.
MSC’s Mr Darr said “MSC’s efforts to decarbonise include strong partnerships with a range of companies across the industry. This partnership with Shell is a great example of the type of commitment needed to catalyse low-carbon solutions for the shipping sector.
“To reach that ultimate goal of complete decarbonisation, we must look at a set of solutions. We need significant advances in research and development and fuel development. MSC welcomes partnerships like this with Shell that are designed to facilitate cross-sector information sharing and prove how collaboration is key in defining the best pathway to a net-zero future,” said Mr Darr.
Shell and MSC have worked together over the last 10 years on projects including bunkering biofuels and trialling very and ultra-low sulphur fuels.
MSC and Shell technical and commercial teams will collaborate to develop and deploy net-zero solutions such as zero-emissions fuels of the future and the technologies that will enable them, including fuel cells, with the ambition of contributing towards a zero-carbon flexi-fuel concept vessel. They will also work together on energy efficiency technologies, including digital services and platforms.
The partners continue to envisage a range of fuel solutions on the route to a net-zero future and are also exploring options such as hydrogen-derived fuels and using methanol as a marine fuel. Both companies have been exploring the significant potential benefits of progressing from fossil-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) to bioLNG or synthetic variants. Together, the partners will explore opportunities for MSC to use LNG in its fleet, as the lowest emissions fuel widely available today. They will also consider future pathways, including methane-slip abatement technologies that will further bring down LNG’s emissions.
The partnership offers an opportunity for Shell and MSC to work together to engage the industry and its stakeholders on strategic policy issues, bringing their dual perspectives with the purpose of enabling constructive dialogue and to accelerate decarbonisation in the sector.
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