Maersk has chosen Alfa Laval’s FCM Methanol fuel supply system for its pioneering methanol retrofit project, which will allow the container ship Maersk Halifax to run on methanol fuel.
This project represents a significant accomplishment for both Alfa Laval and Maersk, demonstrating the viability of retrofitting ships with methanol-based propulsion systems.
According to a statement, Alfa Laval has developed its methanol expertise to provide solutions that meet the specific needs of both new and current vessels.
“The project with Maersk gives us a unique opportunity to take up a new challenge – retrofitting our equipment for methanol use, for the first time. We are immensely proud to extend our expertise to this innovative retrofit project,” stated Viktor Friberg, Head of Marine Separation & Fuel Supply Systems at Alfa Laval.
Alfa Laval will help Maersk install an FCM Methanol low-flashpoint fuel supply system (LFSS) on the 15,000 TEU Maersk Halifax. The upgrade is expected to be completed by mid-2024. This container vessel upgrade will allow Maersk Halifax to sail on green methanol while also having dual-fuel capability.
The project will require inserting a new methanol fuel line alongside the traditional fuel line while adhering to existing space limits and a tight time deadline.
Alfa Laval’s commitment to technical research and product development, as well as its experience in project execution and vessel operation (>450,000 hours), has prepared the company to take on challenges to equip both existing and new vessels with methanol solutions over time. The system can be designed to meet the specific requirements ensuring optimised performance and environmental efficiency, according to Alfa Laval.
“We have set an ambitious net-zero emissions target for 2040, and retrofitting of engines on our vessels to run on methanol is an important nut in our strategy. Retrofitting solutions to accommodate new fuel thereby enabling the engine to operate on methanol is a complex task that requires expertise, and we are happy to have Alfa Laval on board on this project,” explained Ole Graa Jakobsen, Head of Fleet Technology at A.P. Moller-Maersk.
Sailing with green methanol fuel is a sustainable way to cut emissions, but it requires a fuel supply system that can safely and properly manage the fuel. Alfa Laval has expertise in methanol FSS installation and operation, having contracted over 80 ships since 2015. With over 450,000 hours of operation and unrivalled experience, it is the only system that has been powering methanol-fueled vessels thus far.
