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Green methanol can be used as a shipping fuel

Green methanol can be used as a shipping fuel, offering a low-emission alternative to conventional marine fuels. Methanol is produced from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide (CO2). Methanol can be burned in an engine similar to how traditional shipping fuels are, but with a fraction of the emissions.1 Early studies indicate that green methanol can reduce direct CO2 emissions from shipping by 60-90% compared to traditional shipping fuels.2 Many in the maritime industry see methanol as a pathway to decarbonize the sector and comply with stricter environmental regulations, and some companies have begun ordering methanol-ready ships.3

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Footnotes​

  1. Ming, L. & Chen, L. (2021, January). Methanol as a Marine Fuel – Availability and Sea Trial Considerations. Nanyang Technological University. https://www.methanol.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SG-NTU-methanol-marine-report-Jan-2021-1.pdf ↩

  2. Thesing, G. (2023, August 31). Is green methanol the clean fuel the world is forgetting?. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/08/green-methanol-clean-fuel ↩

  3. Lin, M. (2024, February 2). Methanol at pole position for Jan alternative fuel ship orders: DNV. S&P Global. https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/shipping/020224-methanol-at-pole-position-for-jan-alternative-fuel-ship-orders-dnv ↩