HD Hyundai’s methanol dual-fuel retrofit concept gets class nod

South Korean classification society Korea Register has granted approval in principle for HD Hyundai Marine Solution’s (HD HMS) methanol dual-fuel retrofit project design.

PHOTO: One of HMM's 16,000-TEU containerships docked at a port. HMM

The design involves retrofitting a methanol dual-fuel engine and fuel supply system on HMM's large container ship with 16,000 TEU capacity.

HMM, formerly known as Hyundai Merchant Marine, is a major South Korean container shipping firm.

The design consists of two main components: a methanol dual-fuel engine developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and a methanol fuel supply system developed by HD Hyundai Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

Retrofitting existing vessels with a methanol dual-fuel propulsion system will allow them to operate on methanol as an alternative fuel.

Using green methanol as a fuel, ultra-large containerships will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and comply with "ship exhaust gas regulations", HD HMS said.

Green methanol, classified as bio- or e-methanol, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional marine fuels. Additionally, it can be stored at room temperature without additional facilities, unlike LNG, because it maintains its liquid state at room temperature.

This makes it attractive as an “eco-friendly fuel in a carbon-neutral era”, HMM claims.

Evidence for this claim can be found in the data. A recent tally by the classification society DNV shows that there are now 234 confirmed methanol-capable vessels in operation and on order as of December. The number is predicted to increase going forward, driven by the growing availability of green methanol for bunkering, the increasing prevalence of bunkering technology and tightening shipping regulations.

By Konica Bhatt

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online