Written by
Nick Blenkey
Wallenius Wilhelmsen believes methanol is the quickest technique to attain net-zero emissions
Not too surprisingly, the collection of big methanol-fueled automotive carriers that Wallenius Wilhelmsen is constructing in China (see earlier story) shall be powered by MAN B&W ME-LGIM major engines. The Oslo-listed RO/RO specialist has now positioned an order with MAN Power Options for the engines for the primary 4 ships, every of which shall be powered by an MAN B&W 7S60ME-C10.5-LGIM (-liquid fuel injection methanol) dual-fuel engine able to operating on inexperienced methanol.
The 9,300 CEU (Automotive Equal Unit) PCTC vessels shall be constructed on the Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) and are scheduled for supply from mid-2026 on; the preliminary four-ship order comprises choices for an additional eight vessels.
“We’re securing our place as our clients’ first selection in transport and delivering on our technique to offer a net-zero, emission-free, end-to-end service by 2027,” mentioned Xavier Leroi, EVP & COO transport companies at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. “We imagine that methanol is the quickest technique to net-zero emissions.”
Momentum for methanol-fueled automotive carriers grows
“Methanol is gaining momentum throughout the PCTC phase off the again of robust Chinese language car-manufacturing figures and the introduction of recent emission laws,” mentioned Bjarne Foldager, head of two-stroke enterprise at MAN Power Options. “Throughout the phase, Wallenius Wilhelmsen is a serious participant and one of many first movers to methanol based mostly by itself journey in direction of internet zero. We totally anticipate methanol to determine prominently as a future gas throughout automobile carriers and, certainly ultimately, all vessel segments.”
“This would be the second newbuilding challenge throughout the PCTC phase that options our S60-LGIM engine,” mentioned Thomas S. Hansen, head of promotion and buyer help at MAN Power Answer. “The transport trade is exhibiting an growing curiosity in decarbonisation by working vessels on inexperienced methanol and these engines will present vital emission reductions. The ME-LGIM idea is confirmed and nonetheless the one such idea that has entered business operation. Presently, our whole ME-LGIM orders stand at over 150 engines. This contains greater than 23 already in operation and which have accrued greater than 500,000 operating hours since first coming into service in 2016.”
