Fugro Pioneer ready for engine retrofit
Dual-fuel methanol setup for Fugro Pioneer (Source: Fugro)
Geological research vessel Fugro Pioneer is being converted to methanol at Netherlands shipyard, Niestern Sander, in Delfzijl. Two of the ship’s four engines are to be replaced with methanol equivalents while the remaining two motors will continue to run on diesel, allowing the vessel flexibility to operate in countries where green methanol is unavailable.
The work is being undertaken by a consortium including Fugro, Alewijnse, Marine Service Noord and Koninklijke Niestern Sander shipyard, dubbed MENENS (Methanol as Energy Step Towards Emission-free Dutch Shipping). Work to prepare the vessel for the new ScandiNAOS engines has included double-walled pipework installed using skids, with phase two, which will include installation of the engines themselves, due for completion in Q4.
The operation has required reworking of the vessel’s electrics, undertaken by Alewijnse, to improve many of the vessel’s fire detection systems in anticipation of having methanol aboard. Describing it as a “superior fuel” due to its clean-burning properties, Alewijnse account manager Jim Stolk nonetheless admitted that there were heightened safety considerations involved.
“Both the liquid and vapour forms [of methanol] are highly flammable,” he said. “For this reason, we use special programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to monitor safety and potential fire risks during the combustion process. In addition, we draw on our extensive experience with safety PLCs which we also regularly apply to industrial projects."
