Waterfront Shipping Company (WFS), Marinvest/Skagerack Invest (Marinvest), IINO Kaiun Kaisha (IINO), Mitsui, and NYK Group, have announced they are to invest in the design and construction of four new methanol-powered vessels.

Each 49,000 DWT vessel will feature a MAN B&W ME-LGI two-stroke dual-fuel engine with the capability to run on methanol, traditional fuel oil, marine diesel oil, or gas oil. By using methanol fuel, the vessels will reduce their emissions of pollutants such as SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, and will comply with present and future environmental regulations.

The four vessels will join the existing seven methanol-fuelled vessels chartered by WFS, which have been operating safely and reliably since 2016.  Paul Hexter, President, Waterfront Shipping, says that “we expect these new vessels to benefit from ongoing technological advances that will continue to optimise performance and efficiency. We are proud to see 40% of our fleet powered by methanol-fuel technology in the coming year.”

René Sejer Laursen, Promotion Manager, MAN Diesel & Turbo, comments: “We are very happy to be working with Waterfront Shipping again on this innovative technology. With seven engines already in operation and proven in the field, this new order confirms the ME-LGI concept as a mature technology. Since this dual-fuel engine entered the market in 2016, its price has dropped considerably, which makes it an even more attractive propulsion option. Allied with its environmental credentials and convenience of use when employing methanol as a fuel, we are confident the ME-LGI will continue its promising progress.”

Marinvest’s Chairman, Patrik Mossberg, says that the company has been very pleased with the performance of the vessels delivered in 2016 and is excited to be investing in a further two. He explains that “our overall focus in the development of the dual-fuel system concept has been safety and engine reliability. We have found the technology for handling methanol is well developed and offers a safe dual-fuel solution for low-flashpoint liquid fuels.”

“For over 130 years, we have been guided by our commitment to pioneering innovation. Investing in this proven ground-breaking and innovative marine technology exemplifies our commitment to using leading clean technology to meet the safe and dependable transportation needs of our global customers”, states Koji Kondo, Corporate Officer, NYK.

The vessels will be built at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea, where several of the first generation of methanol-fuelled vessels were built. WFS will charter the four vessels to replace older vessels and support growing demand for methanol around the world. Two of the vessels will be owned in a joint venture between WFS and Marinvest, one will be owned by NYK, and the fourth will be owned in a joint venture between IINO and Mitsui.

The vessels are expected for delivery in 2019.