Singapore-based owner Berge Bulk has crossed another hurdle on its decarbonisation pathway by signing up one of its ships for a potential conversion to run on methanol.
In what is being described as a pioneering joint development project, the James Marshall-led company, which owns and manages a fleet of over 80 vessels, has teamed up with class society ABS to explore the possibility of retrofitting the 300-m-long heavy fuel oil-powered bulker Berge Mauna Kea.
The 210,000 dwt ship is currently under construction at the Nihon Shipyard in Japan, with delivery expected in mid-2024. The joint six-month study will see the duo collaborate on a broad range of subjects from the availability of methanol fuel and practicalities of bunkering to the review of technical and economic aspects of the conversion.
“Retrofitting alternative fuel capability to the global fleet is going to be critical if we are to achieve our sustainability goals. This JDP is blazing a trail that many other vessels will ultimately have to travel as operators look to manage their decarbonization trajectories over a vessel’s lifespan. Methanol is increasingly being recognized as a compelling alternative pathway for owners and operators. With practical benefits related to ease of storage and handling, tank-to-wake carbon intensity reduction, as well as a pathway to carbon neutrality through green methanol, methanol presents an immediate and promising solution,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS chairman, president and CEO.
In addition to its commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2025 at the latest and this new involvement in methanol, Berge Bulk has been an early adopter of wind-assisted propulsion technology, solar power trials, investments in advanced atomic power solutions for shipping, and offering clients an option for carbon neutral cargo delivery via offsets.
“We see methanol as one of the solutions towards these ongoing decarbonization efforts. Existing technologies are available to convert methanol for use in our engines, whilst there are also procedures for bunkering of methanol and its use onboard. As a leader in this industry, we are confident that this collaboration with ABS will accelerate our efforts towards zero carbon in this energy transition journey,” said Berge Bulk’s CEO Marshall.
That ship is going to need quite a lot of green methanol. I do follow Berge Bulk’s move into carbon neutrality but I would think that for big ships like this one nuclear power would be a better bet.