RINA has granted Type Approval to SRC Group’s Methanol Superstorage system, a fuel storage solution designed to help vessels use methanol and ethanol without the space penalties typically associated with these fuels.

The approval gives formal recognition that the system meets RINA’s standards for safety, performance, reliability and compliance. RINA had previously awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to Methanol Superstorage in March 2025.

Methanol and ethanol both require about twice the storage volume of heavy fuel oil (HFO), creating a challenge for ship designers looking to adopt alternative fuels without losing valuable onboard space.

SRC Group stated that Methanol Superstorage addresses this by replacing the conventional cofferdam arrangement with a sandwich structure based on SPS Technology’s Sandwich Plate System (SPS). The system uses a 25 mm solid elastomer core enclosed between two steel plates rated to A60 equivalence.

The elastomer acts as a load-transferring, energy-absorbing and sealing layer, creating an oxygen-free atmosphere between the plates and helping prevent hidden corrosion. The bonded structure also forms a third containment barrier intended to prevent leaks and emissions while maintaining safety levels equivalent to conventional cofferdam arrangements.

RINA Marine Market Development Vice President Pino Spadafora commented: “SRC Group’s Methanol Superstorage is a practical, space-efficient solution with the potential to accelerate the adoption of green methanol as a marine fuel, delivering increased storage capacity of conventional tank designs while maintaining equivalent safety.”

SRC Group noted that case studies indicate ships fitted with Methanol Superstorage could store nearly twice the volume of methanol or ethanol compared with conventional tank designs. The system is also intended to remove the need for regular inspections and gas-freeing procedures.

The solution is designed for a wide range of ship types, from workboats and tugs to offshore support vessels, ferries, cruise ships, tankers and cargo vessels.

Type Approval is expected to make it easier for flag states to issue project-specific approvals. Methanol Superstorage has also received AiP from Lloyd’s Register and ClassNK, as well as from the Panama Maritime Authority.

Alex Vainokivi, Innovation Manager at SRC Group, remarked: “Obtaining Type Approval from RINA is great news, and an important step forward in building industry-wide confidence in Methanol Superstorage. It provides ship owners with clear validation as they evaluate methanol as a long-term clean fuel that can support their decarbonisation targets, covering a wide range of vessel types.”

Founded in 2001, SRC Group is a marine and offshore EPCI specialist headquartered in Estonia, with offices in Europe and the US.