Houlder unveils new methanol bunkering vessel design

Design and engineering consultancy Houlder has unveiled a methanol bunkering vessel design for the SPINE maritime project.

PHOTO: Houlder’s methanol bunkering vessel design. Houlder

The 10,000 cbm-capacity methanol bunkering vessel design features a semi-automated crane system, enabling it to supply methanol to a wide range of ships, including cruise liners and large container vessels.

“This design represents a key milestone in the development of methanol infrastructure and a strategic step towards wider alternative fuel bunkering in maritime decarbonisation,” Houlder said.

Designing the vessel posed unique spatial challenges due to its lower density compared to conventional fuels, differing regulatory requirements for storage, use and handling spaces, the firm added.

The new vessel design is part of maritime industry body Maritime Research and Innovation UK's (MarRI-UK) SPINE project, which is led by industry non-profit MSE International and involves a consortium of organisations. The project aims to create an interface between ships, remote control centres, port operating systems, and national energy infrastructure to tackle challenges in maritime decarbonisation.

By Tuhin Roy

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