Sign up
Log in Sign up
Thu 17 Nov 2016 08:18

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.

Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line. Stena Line to acquire Wasaline ferry operations in Baltic Sea expansion  

Swedish ferry operator signs deal to take over Umeå–Vaasa route with bio-LNG-powered vessel.
Arriva Shipping vessel Norbris. Berg Propulsion secures second Arriva retrofit after 10% fuel savings confirmed  

Norwegian shipowner orders second propulsion upgrade following verified efficiency gains on general cargo vessel Norjarl.
Dorthe Bendtsen and Anders Grønborg. Bunker Holding to absorb Baseblue into KPI OceanConnect by April 2026  

Integration follows earlier Hong Kong merger and aims to streamline operations and strengthen regional teams.
Chimbusco Pan Nation (CPN) new logo. CPN unveils new brand identity after 34 years in marine fuel supply  

Hong Kong bunker supplier launches rebrand centered on 'continuous evolution' and sustainable fuel solutions.
Aicha Azad, Flex Commodities. Flex Commodities hires Aicha Azad as trader in Dubai  

Bunker firm appoints multilingual trader with bunker trading and cargo operations experience.
Desk calendar with the word “TAX”. 'Excess' fossil fuel profits should be taxed and given back to citizens, says T&E  

Campaign group calls for sustained taxes on excess profits or end to subsidies that keep demand high.
NYK Line’s Padma Leader vessel. Imabari Shipbuilding delivers LNG-fuelled car carrier to NYK Line  

Padma Leader expected to achieve up to 30% CO2 reduction through dual-fuel propulsion and exhaust gas recirculation.
Tallink’s MyStar vessel. Tallink targets full bio-LNG transition for Baltic shuttle vessels within a year  

Estonian ferry operator aims to replace all fossil LNG with renewable fuel on the Helsinki-Tallinn route.
Grimaldi's Grande Melbourne vessel. Grimaldi takes delivery of third ammonia-ready car carrier from Chinese shipyard  

Grande Melbourne is the third of seven vessels ordered from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for Asia-Europe service.
BPCL and Cochin Port sign MoU. BPCL and Cochin Port sign MoU for LNG bunkering facilities  

Indian oil company and port authority agree to develop LNG refuelling infrastructure for vessels.




 Recommended