Bureau Veritas (BV) has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to O.S. Energy and Chartwell Marine for a methanol-fuel system developed for a new aluminium catamaran.
The approval covers the integration of methanol within the vessel’s compact design. O.S. Energy and Chartwell Marine will now use the AiP as a basis to move towards detailed engineering and further development of the vessel.
Methanol system covers storage, bunkering and fuel supply
The proposed system brings together the main equipment and safety arrangements required to use methanol as a marine fuel.
It covers methanol storage and containment, bunkering, fuel supply and distribution. The design also includes ventilation, hazardous-area arrangements and fire-safety measures.
BV reviewed the concept against its rules for methanol and ethanol-fuelled ships. The assessment also considered relevant IMO interim safety guidelines for vessels using methyl or ethyl alcohol as fuel.
Particular attention was given to fitting the different components within the limited space available on the catamaran.
Project moves towards detailed design
The AiP confirms that the concept has been assessed against applicable class requirements at this stage of development. It also provides O.S. Energy and Chartwell Marine with a technical basis to continue developing the vessel.
O.S. Energy said the next steps include detailed design, discussions with shipyards and efforts to secure additional support and investment. The project will also need to progress towards full class and statutory approval.
“Our ambition is to build and operate this vessel in the UK,” said Martin Nuernberg, Managing Director at O.S. Energy UK.
No shipyard, construction contract or delivery schedule has yet been announced.
UK programme supports methanol vessel project
Development of the concept forms part of the WAVES2 project, which is supported by the UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme.
Innovate UK is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE initiatives. The wider programme has allocated more than £230 million since 2022 to support technologies aimed at reducing emissions from the UK maritime sector.
Yannis Calogeras, Marine & Offshore Director for the UK and Ireland at Bureau Veritas, described the AiP as an important step towards integrating methanol into a compact vessel design.
