Methanol-fuelled products tanker awarded AiP
The AiP has been awarded during Nor-Shipping in Oslo at the beginning of June (Source: Korean Register)
The Korean Register (KR) has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a medium-range product tanker design to be fuelled by methanol. The new design has been developed jointly in South Korea by the classification society, K Shipbuilding, and equipment manufacturer S&SYS.
The dual-fuelled tanker, capable of operating on marine gas, oil and methanol, is designed with two methanol fuel tanks located on each side of the open deck. K Shipbuilding focused on the ship’s basic design and the fuel tanks, while S&SYS developed the fuel supply system.
The AiP comes at a key moment in the maritime fuel transition. Regulations are tightening in key regions, and the IMO is likely to strengthen its decarbonisation aims at meetings in July.
Advocates of methanol as a marine fuel point out its advantages. It is a liquid at ambient pressure and temperature, making it easier to transport and store. Meanwhile, it is less toxic than ammonia, for example, and less complicated to use as compared with liquid natural gas.
Chairman and CEO of KR, Lee Hyungchui, said: "KR remains committed to advancing decarbonised alternative fuel technologies, with a particular focus on providing technical support for decarbonisation efforts. The methanol-fuelled MR Tanker joint development project stands as a testament to KR's dedication to driving the industry's transition towards greener solutions."
K Shipbuilding’s CEO, Jang Yoonkeun, commented: "We are delighted to see that our years of hard work to develop green-fuelled vessels has resulted in today’s AiP for the methanol-fuelled MR tanker. We will further improve our technologies and pursue innovations to contribute to maritime decarbonisation."
