DNV highlights retrofit readiness in methanol fuel study
Maersk Halifax was retrofitted for methanol operation earlier this year
(Source: Maersk)
DNV’s latest White Paper on methanol in shipping reports that the fuel has reached a high level of technical maturity and is increasingly supported by existing infrastructure, but wider uptake still depends on regulatory and economic drivers. More than 450 methanol-capable vessels are in service or on order, and DNV says the ability to retrofit existing ships is becoming a central advantage as owners look for near-term compliance options.
Marius Leisner, senior principal consultant at DNV, said: “From a technical perspective, methanol-fuelled engines have demonstrated high reliability, with industry data indicating that modern dual-fuel engine designs have accumulated more than 600,000 operating hours on methanol. Retrofit feasibility is well established, and the use of conventional bunkering systems, unlike cryogenic fuels, means ports can adapt quickly and cost-effectively.”
The report notes that methanol draws on established production sites, storage systems and a developing bunker fleet, with China representing 43% of planned low-GHG methanol capacity. Methanol’s environmental benefits include the absence of sulphur, negligible soot and lower NOx emissions. However, availability and cost remain significant hurdles.
Bio-methanol averages about USD 2,500 per tonne in 2025, roughly triple the price of marine gas oil, while global production of 2.2 million tonnes remains far short of anticipated long-term demand.
