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Methanorms
Methanol retrofit maritime systems
Running
The project will develop and demonstrate the first Dutch methanol retrofit concept, both for the engines and the safety concept, encouraging the Dutch maritime sector to consider converting existing vessels to methanol propulsion.
Background
The Methanorms project, led by Fugro, aims to serve as a flagship initiative under the Maritime Masterplan byretrofitting the survey vessel Fugro Galaxy to operate on methanol fuel. This project will develop and demonstrate the first Dutch methanol retrofit concept, both for the engines and the safety concept, encouraging the Dutch maritime sector to consider converting existing vessels to methanol propulsion. It seeks to establish new standards for assessing maritime methanol safety during retrofits, while significantly reducing the overall costs of such retrofits (up to 40% lower than exchanging the entire engine), positioning the Netherlands as a leader in the global climate-neutral retrofit market.
Goal
The project’s goal is to accelerate the Dutch maritime sector’s transition to climate-neutral shipping using green
methanol. This will be achieved by developing and validating a safe and reliable dual-fuel retrofit solution capable
of operating with up to 97% methanol. This includes developing an engine retrofit solution and creating
innovative, compliant systems for fuel storage, piping, venting, and safety. The availability of such solutions not
only facilitates the Dutch sector's transition to climate-neutral shipping but also enhances international
competitiveness of the Dutch maritime industry by offering these solutions globally. The project's findings will
propose updates to IMO codes for methanol fuel, contributing to the Maritime Masterplan's core objectives.
The project will leverage prior research, particularly from the MENENS project, to initiate retrofitting early on in
the project and develop optimized modular solutions with advanced combustion for achieving 97% methanol usage within three years. It aims to create scalable and reliable retrofit designs, including a dual-fuel injection refit kit for diesel engines and comprehensive systems for bunkers, cofferdams, pipes, venting, and control, suitable for various vessel types and sizes. This scalability ensures a broad market perspective, benefiting associated ship owners within the project such as NIOZ and the Dutch Navy.
construction, and operations phases, enabling short feedback loops for addressing challenges and accelerating
technology validation. This approach uses the engine retrofit kit (based on the work in the MENENS project) and
develops novel safety concepts for methanol handling, inspired by the lessons learned from the previously converted Fugro Pioneer vessel (with an engine replacement). The project will be executed by 9 industry partners,
representing the entire maritime supply chain, and 5 knowledge institutes for technical and legal research as well
as operational validation.
methanol. This will be achieved by developing and validating a safe and reliable dual-fuel retrofit solution capable
of operating with up to 97% methanol. This includes developing an engine retrofit solution and creating
innovative, compliant systems for fuel storage, piping, venting, and safety. The availability of such solutions not
only facilitates the Dutch sector's transition to climate-neutral shipping but also enhances international
competitiveness of the Dutch maritime industry by offering these solutions globally. The project's findings will
propose updates to IMO codes for methanol fuel, contributing to the Maritime Masterplan's core objectives.
The project will leverage prior research, particularly from the MENENS project, to initiate retrofitting early on in
the project and develop optimized modular solutions with advanced combustion for achieving 97% methanol usage within three years. It aims to create scalable and reliable retrofit designs, including a dual-fuel injection refit kit for diesel engines and comprehensive systems for bunkers, cofferdams, pipes, venting, and control, suitable for various vessel types and sizes. This scalability ensures a broad market perspective, benefiting associated ship owners within the project such as NIOZ and the Dutch Navy.
TIME LINE
Starting in January 2025, the six years project execution will follow a parallel approach across development,construction, and operations phases, enabling short feedback loops for addressing challenges and accelerating
technology validation. This approach uses the engine retrofit kit (based on the work in the MENENS project) and
develops novel safety concepts for methanol handling, inspired by the lessons learned from the previously converted Fugro Pioneer vessel (with an engine replacement). The project will be executed by 9 industry partners,
representing the entire maritime supply chain, and 5 knowledge institutes for technical and legal research as well
as operational validation.
Contact
Gerco Hagesteijn
senior project manager