Methanol as Marine Fuel
Liquid alcohol fuel adopted by some newbuild container and tanker fleets; bunkered at ambient temperature, simpler infrastructure than LNG.
In practice
Methanol-fuelled vessels emerging in container, tanker, ferry trades. Engineers receive STCW V/3 training plus OEM equipment courses. Fuel-tank ventilation and explosion-prevention is the principal hazard.
Regulatory detail & full definition
Liquid alcohol fuel adopted by some newbuild container, tanker, and ferry fleets. Methanol is bunkered at ambient temperature and pressure, simplifying infrastructure compared with cryogenic LNG. Engine technology is mature for two-stroke (MAN ME-LGIM) and four-stroke (Wärtsilä, MAN) applications using pilot-fuel ignition. IMO Interim Guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1621) cover safety of ships using methanol as fuel. Lifecycle CO2 depends on production pathway — green methanol from renewable hydrogen is climate-neutral, grey methanol from natural gas is not. Major orderbooks at 2024–2025 include large containerships from Maersk and HMM.
Authoritative source: IMO Resolutions Index ↗
Related
Source: IMO Interim Guidelines (MSC.1/Circ.1621)
High confidence
Editorial confidence: how we grade.