The world’s first methanol-powered tugboat, the Methatug, was unveiled right now in Antwerp. It is a part of a sequence of initiatives often called FASTWATER, which goals to exhibit the feasibility of methanol as a sustainable gasoline for the delivery trade in addition to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ efforts to change into a multi-fuel port.

The challenge was first introduced in 2021 calling for the retrofitting of the engines aboard an current port tug to change into dual-dual able to working on methanol. In addition to the technical hurdles, port officers highlighted that they confronted regulatory challenges. Rhine-based inland navigation craft should adjust to the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine’s (CCNR) laws, which had beforehand forbidden the usage of methanol as a marine gasoline. The port spent a 12 months and a half to realize the mandatory regulatory approvals.

The tug’s two engines had been returned to the ship on the finish of 2022 because the challenge progressed. The gasoline provide and storage system needed to even be created for the vessel in addition to the provision chain for methanol. The tug was fitted with a tank to carry roughly 12,000 liters of methanol, which port officers stated is sufficient for 2 weeks of operation. 

Rechristened Methatug, the vessel is sort of 100 toes in size (29.5 meters) and is 584 tons with a 50-ton bollard pull capability. The Swedish ship design company ScandiNAOS led the challenge with the Belgian engine producer Anglo Belgian Corporation supplying the 2 8DAC dual-fuel medium-speed engines. The German firm Heinzmann was chargeable for the methanol injectors. Ghent University oversaw the emission monitoring program and the Canadian methanol provider Methanex additionally participated within the trials. De Wit Bunkering will provide Methatug with methanol by way of truck-to-ship bunkering on the Port of Antwerp-Bruges Nautical Operational Cluster (NOC).

As the fifth-largest bunker port on this planet, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is demonstrating a variety of other energy sources as it really works to transition for its decarbonization targets and meet the wants of the delivery trade. The port has additionally launched Hydrotug 1, the primary hydrogen-powered tug, and is presently engaged on an electrically powered tugboat which would be the first in Europe when it’s launched later this 12 months.

Methatug was financed by the European analysis program Horizon 2020 and is a part of the FASTWATER challenge. To exhibit the feasibility of methanol as a sustainable gasoline, the FASTWATER challenge consists of the conversions to methanol propulsion of a pilot boat in Sweden, a river cruise ship in Germany, and a coastguard vessel in Greece along with the Antwerp tug. 

Several different initiatives will comply with additionally demonstrating methanol-fueled tugs. Work is underway in Turkey on the Sanmar shipyard on two dual-fuel methanol tugboats. They are being promoted because the world’s first giant, purpose-built excessive bollard pull tugs fueled by methanol. They are anticipated to enter service in mid-2025 employed by Canada’s Horizon Maritime Services escorting tankers supporting the Trans Mountain Expansion Project between the Westridge Marine Terminal and the harbor limits of the Port of Vancouver, Canada.