Methanol and Wind Hybrid Tankers Ordered

Swedish tanker operator Terntank reported that it has ordered methanol and wind hybrid tankers, as it works toward its goal of fossil-free operations. The company is over 100 years old and currently operates 10 chemical/product tankers. Recently they have placed an order for two new 15,000 dwt tankers along with an option for two more each with a hybrid power plant. The will include methanol and wind assist readiness.

The methanol and wind hybrid tankers will be built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Yangzhou. They shall house a power plant that uses MGO or Biofuel while being ready for Methanol. These vessels were designed by Kongsberg. These game changing vessels will be wind propulsion and shore power ready. All being well they shall be delivered by the spring of 2025.

“With these methanol and wind assistance-ready vessels, we are taking a big step forward in our journey as the forerunner in environmentally efficient and safe shipping,” said Tryggve Möller, Vice Chairman of Terntank. “With methanol’s low-carbon and potential in decarbonization, we are accelerating our pathway to net zero. The efficient design results in an EEDI between 16-40 percent below the 2025 Phase 3 requirements.”

The new tankers shall be able to run off advanced fuels such as green methanol and e-methanol too. Terntank has highlighted how environmentally friendly the methanol and wind hybrid tankers will be. The GWP (Global Warming Potential) noting it’ll be upto 98 percent lower than traditional fuels. As global shipping is a commodity that we cannot do without, this project will lead the way for carbon neutral shipping. 

Innovations from the previous six AVIC SERIES vessels will be taken into account to give added improvements to the vessels, helping to further reduce carbon impact when in service.  Their tanks already reduce CO2 emissions by upto 40 percent. Terntank believes that the wind assistance shall further reduce the emissions by an additional 8 percent. 

Not only is the fuel economy of the vessel vastly improved, they have pointed out the improved plan of the vessel for optimal cargo design. 

Each tanker will be divided up into 14 segregations. Terntank says that this will ensure optimal transportation of bio feedstocks to customers’ refineries and load the finished goods to customers’ depots. 

 SOURCE: maritime-executive