Press Release: On Tuesday, December 14th, the FASTWATER Consortium and the Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) successfully demonstrated a pilot boat which has been converted to operate on Methanol fuel.
The demonstration in Stockholm Harbour follows the successful bunkering of the vessel at the SMA pilot station in Oxelösund, Sweden, where the pilot boat will be based.
The event was addressed by Members of the Swedish National Parliament Johan Büser and Anders Hansson who spoke to the importance of alternative fuels like Methanol in reducing carbon and pollution emissions on a local and national basis.
Johan Büser (S) said:“This launch shows that Sweden and the Swedish maritime sector is innovative regarding science and innovation and demonstrates the long tradition of business, politics and universities joining forces.”
Anders Hansson (M) said:“It is gratifying to see the Swedish shipping industry making great efforts to reduce its environmental impact; this is one step towards more environmentally-friendly shipping industry.”
Sebastian Verhelst, FASTWATER Co-ordinator, said:
“The FASTWATER project demonstrates that Methanol is a present and practical choice for application in ports and coastal shipping for all kinds of small craft, where there is an urgent need to reduce pollution.”
Albert Wiström, Shipping Inspector, Sjöfartsverket said:
“The pilot boat is the link between shore and ship 365 days a year in all weather conditions; for this we need a robust, reliable energy solution with simple storage which makes methanol the best option.”
Patrik Molander of engine supplier ScandiNAOS said:
“This pilot boat is probably one of the cleanest ships on the water, world-wide because it operates on Biomethanol; we have seen huge request for similar engines on the market.”
Gregory Dolan, CEO, The Methanol Institute, said:
“Our congratulations go to FASTWATER, the SMA and their project partners for this successful demonstration of the potential of Methanol to help the industry transition to low carbon operations.”
The event provided a further demonstration of Methanol’s suitability as a marine fuel, permitted within the International Maritime Organization’s IGF Code with full Flag State and Class Society approval.
Liquid at ambient temperature and miscible in water, Methanol can be shipped, stored and handled using procedures similar to conventional fuels. In operation, Methanol produces around 10% lower carbon emissions than fuel oil, has IMO-2020-compliant SOx emissions, low PM and NOx. As increasing volumes of renewable Methanol become available, operators can lower net carbon emissions further and achieve compliance beyond 2030.
The event was supported by the Swedish Maritime Administration and The Methanol Institute. A recording of the proceedings will be available via
https://www.youtube.com/
Header image: The launch of the converted pilot boat provided a further demonstration of Methanol’s suitability as a marine fuel.
