German energy major Uniper is collaborating with two shipping partners to develop green methanol as a shipping fuel and a hydrogen carrier, the company said in a statement March 9.
The company is joining forces with shipping service provider Liberty Pier Maritime Projects and engineering firm Ship Design and Consult (SDC) to form the Green Methanol Cooperation (GMC), in order to bring green methanol to the marine-fuel market and develop a supply chain based upon it.
"Providing and using green methanol as a fuel for the maritime industry is a logical step in the implementation of our hydrogen strategy within the wider framework of our decarbonization efforts," Uniper SE Chief Operating Officer David Bryson said.
"With Liberty Pier and SDC, we have gained two experienced and knowledgeable partners from the maritime industry who want to collaborate with us to establish green methanol as a maritime fuel on the market," Bryson added.
Green methanol is a potential hydrogen carrier which is easier to transport and store than green hydrogen, Uniper said, primarily as it is liquid at normal atmospheric temperature and pressure.
"Green methanol is carbon-neutral overall, as it is produced using hydrogen from renewable sources and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere via a biological feedstock or direct air capture," the statement said.
Maritime industry and energy companies are aiming to find sustainable solutions for marine fuels in order to meet International Maritime Organization targets of a 70% carbon dioxide emission reduction by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, it said, adding that it viewed green methanol as a "sensible solution" for the decarbonization of shipping.
"The GMC will develop the infrastructure and logistics framework needed to supply methanol in Europe and establish the relevant shipping requirements," the statement said. "A medium-term goal of the GMC is to build ships that can burn green methanol in their engines."
The debate surrounding hydrogen carriers of the future is particularly acute for the shipping industry, given that a developmental pathway need to be clear lest newly constructed ships of a 25-30 year operational lifespan become obsolete. Ammonia and green hydrogen are currently considered front runners in this respect.
"Working with Uniper and SDC in an open collaboration reflects the current requirements for European short-sea shipping," Liberty Pier CEO Dietrich Schulz said.
"The targets for reducing CO2 emissions in shipping can be implemented rapidly and economically if we start with the technology on board and use green methanol as fuel," SDC Managing Director Michael Wachter said.
Liquid methanol releases carbon dioxide and water when combusted.
