Services : ABS publishes guidance on methanol as marine fuel

Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted interim guidelines on the use of methanol as a marine fuel, making ethyl and methyl alcohols options for shipowners and operators. Twelve methanol-powered ships are already in operation, with another 10 on order.

“Methanol is a fuel that offers immediate decarbonization benefits to vessel operators of substantial net GHG reductions and full compliance with IMO 2020, with a pathway that leads to net carbon neutrality as production of renewable methanol grows. We welcome the ABS guidance ‘Methanol as Marine Fuel’ as a timely addition to the body of reference material available to help designers, shipyards, owners and charterers understand the opportunity that methanol presents,” said Gregory Dolan, chief executive officer for the Methanol Institute.

The guidance builds on ABS research developed in “Setting the Course to Low Carbon Shipping: Pathways to Sustainable Shipping,” to help drive decarbonization pathways for the industry.