By
Alex Smith |
Costa Group and methanol producer Proman have signed a memorandum of understanding to drive the implementation of methanol as a marine fuel for the cruise industry.
The partnership aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the existing fleet by improving the supply of methanol, making it viable for existing vessels to be retrofitted to operate on the fuel and more methanol-fuelled newbuilds to be built.
When used as a fuel, methanol produces significantly less airborne pollutants such as particulate matter and sulphur oxides. It also has the potential to be used in fuel cells, which would produce zero emissions during its lifecycle.
“The technology to retrofit a vessel to accept methanol as a fuel is available today,” said Tim Cornelius, managing director of corporate development for Proman. “Our methanol products can facilitate the transition to low carbon intensity fuels. Methanol-powered vessels have a proven track record of reducing and eliminating major greenhouse gas emissions, delivering immediate air quality improvements around major ports and shipping lanes. We are excited to bring our expertise along the full methanol value chain to help deliver on Costa Group’s bold ambitions.”
The partnership is the latest development in Costa Group’s sustainability efforts. It was the first cruise company to introduce LNG propulsion to its ships, with four vessels now already in service. The majority of the ships in its fleet are equipped with shore power capabilities, and the company has performed its first tests on biofuels.
“We are reducing the carbon footprint of our fleet while at port and at sea, investing in advanced environmental technologies and partnering with companies such as Proman who share a passion for sustainable energy transition,” said Christoph Schladoer, vice president of decarbonisation at Costa Group. “By enabling cruise ships to use methanol as a propulsion fuel, Costa is following our ambition to take the next big step towards greenhouse gas-neutral operations of our fleet by 2050.”