15JUL2019 - NEWS - Demand for methanol as marine fuel to grow ahead of IMO 2020 Methanex

Methanol’s use as a marine fuel was expected to grow ahead of IMO 2020 — the lower sulfur cap on marine fuel globally — with Waterfront Shipping Company launching new vessels running on the clean fuel this year, executives from the company and its parent, Methanex, said.

Waterfront Shipping, a wholly owned subsidiary of Methanex, is launching four ocean-going vessels powered by methanol with the first expected to be delivered mid-August and the other three by the end of this year.

The four 49,000 dwt vessels will have dual-fuel engines, able to run also on fuel oil, marine diesel oil or gas oil.

Stricter International Maritime Organization emissions regulations, which will see the sulfur limit in marine fuel globally dropping to 0.5% in 2020 from 3.5%, have led to a growing interest for cleaner fuels.

Methanol significantly reduces sulfur, nitrogen, particulate matter and carbon emissions when compared to conventional fuels.