Thu 17 Nov 2016, 08:18 GMT

Methanol-powered ship delivered in Japan


Vessel will be on long-term time charter to Methanex-owned Waterfront Shipping.



Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced the delivery of the dual-fuelled methanol carrier Cajun Sun at Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in Oita, Japan, on 10th November.

The 50,000-deadweight-tonne (dwt) Caju Sun is the third in the 'eco ship' series of ships equipped with a two-stroke dual-fuelled low-revolution main engine - the MAN B&W ME-LGI engine - which is capable of running on methanol, fuel oil, marine diesel oil, or marine gas oil.

The ship includes fuel-saving accessories in front of and astern of the propellers, and is also equipped with a ballast water treatment system - ahead of treaty requirements mandating such systems.

The Cajun Sun will be on long-term time charter to Vancouver-based Waterfront Shipping Company Ltd, which operates the world's largest methanol ocean tanker fleet and specializes in the transportation of bulk chemicals and clean petroleum products. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Methanex Corporation - the world's largest producer and supplier of methanol.

Earlier this year, in April, Bunker Index reported that Waterfront planned to charter seven methanol-fuelled vessels between April and October in order to replace older vessels and expand its fleet.

Two of the vessels are owned by Westfal-Larsen Shipping (WL), two ships are jointly owned by Marinvest and Waterfront Shipping, and the remaining three are owned by MOL, one of which is the Cajun Sun. The seven 50,000-dwt ships were built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

"Working with our partners to advance new, clean technology is an important and innovative step in the right direction. Investing in methanol-based marine fuel reinforces our commitment to invest in sustainable technology that not only provides environmental benefits but also an economically viable alternative marine fuel. The cost to build new and convert existing vessels to run on methanol is significantly less than alternate fuel conversions," Jone Hognestad, President, Waterfront Shipping, said in April.

Image: The Mari Jone is one of seven methanol-powered ships chartered by Waterfront in 2016.


Uni-Fuels Logo. Uni-Fuels advertises for senior bunker trader in Dubai  

Nasdaq-listed firm recruiting for its trading team as it aims to drive growth.

Mineral Europa vessel. Green ammonia bunkered to ammonia-powered bulk carrier in Australian first  

Pilbara Ports, Fortescue and CMB.Tech complete a ship-to-ship ammonia transfer at Port Hedland, supporting plans for a clean fuel bunkering hub in the region.

Sea Change II vessel render. US Coast Guard agrees design framework for hydrogen-fuelled New York ferry  

Switch Maritime and Incat Crowther reach regulatory agreement for a 150-passenger hydrogen fuel cell-electric fast ferry intended for New York's waterways.

Auto Advance vessel. UECC fits WE Tech hybrid power systems on newbuild ro-ro vessels  

Norwegian short-sea operator says battery and shaft generator technology from WE Tech Solutions has cut fuel use and auxiliary engine reliance on three newbuilds.

Terra Clove vessel. Envision's green ammonia used to bunker world's first VLAC  

Chinese energy group supplies vessel owned by Eastern Pacific Shipping as it links production and marine fuel supply chains.

Asia Energy vessel. Wärtsilä converts LNG carrier engines to cut methane slip for Chevron  

Three Chevron-operated LNG carriers have each had one engine converted from dual-fuel to spark gas operation to reduce methane emissions.

Tokyo skyline. Cosulich Marine Energy opens Tokyo office to deepen Japanese market ties  

Fratelli Cosulich's bunker trading arm expands into Japan, building on its 2025 South Korea entry.

TotalEnergies sign outside an office building. TotalEnergies secures five-year LNG supply deal with ADNOC Gas  

Agreement will see ADNOC Gas deliver up to 1.6 million tonnes of LNG to TotalEnergies, with first deliveries expected this year.

Shell flag. Shell seeks senior fuel oil trader to expand Singapore paper trading desk  

Shell is hiring a senior fuel oil trader in Singapore to build proprietary HSFO strategies and expand bunker market relationships.

Frisian Sea vessel. Econowind seeks area sales manager to expand wind-propulsion reach  

Dutch wind-assisted propulsion specialist is recruiting an area sales manager to grow its market presence across a designated geographic region.