Purus Marine takes ethanol dual-fuel VLEC count to three

UK-based shipowner Purus Marine has ordered a dual-fuel very large ethane carrier (VLEC) that can run on ethanol.

PHOTO: Model of Purus Marine's ethanol dual-fuel VLEC. Purus

In addition to ethanol, the 98,000-cbm VLEC can also be fuelled by conventional marine fuels. This recent order brings the company's total count of ethanol dual-fuel VLECs on order to three.

In November, Purus ordered two ethanol dual-fuel VLECs. All three will be built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

Since ethanol’s chemical and physical properties are very similar to methanol, it can complement methanol as a bunker fuel and theoretically increase the overall access to feedstocks.

They are both liquid fuels with low flash points of 11-12°C for methanol and 13°C for ethanol. Their low cetane numbers make them harder to ignite and burn than fossil fuels. This means that combustion engines powered by methanol or ethanol will require a small amount of pilot fuel, such as diesel, for ignition.

The ethanol dual-fuel engines will “lower CO2 and SOx emissions,” Purus Marine says.

The vessel is set for delivery in 2027, following which it will be chartered out on a long-term contract.

Ethanol gaining steam

Ethanol’s similarity to methanol has spurred recent interest among some shipowners to use it as bunker fuel.

In November, Singapore-based gas carrier owner Petredec’s subsidiary Fortitude Shipping ordered two ethanol-capable vessels from China.

In October, Brazilian energy firm Raízen – a joint venture between conglomerate Cosan and oil supermajor Shell – partnered with Wärtsilä to explore using ethanol as a bunker fuel alternative to methanol.

By Tuhin Roy

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