Sweden gets the world’s first methanol-powered pilot boat
On Tuesday, the Swedish Maritime Administration relaunched an older ship with a new status: the agency is now the owner of the world’s first methanol-powered pilot boat.
The administration provides pilotage for approximately 33,000 ship transits per year, and it has a fleet of 70 pilot boats. The newly converted pilot boat 120 SE will be part of the plant’s regular pilot operations, and it will be used to evaluate the technology’s potential.
The vessel was renewed with a custom Scania V8 diesel engine, which develops up to 550 horsepower and maintains diesel-like performance. Its emission profile is favorable, without PM, no SOx, minimal NOx and – with green methanol – zero net CO2, according to engine developer ScandiNAOS.
– The pilot boat will be the first of its kind in the world, says Fredrik Backman, director of shipping at the Swedish Maritime Administration. “Our redesigned pilot boat is an important piece of the puzzle in our larger and broader conversion work towards a completely fossil-free boat and ship fleet.”
The project was developed by the EU-supported research consortium Fastwater, which is developing a series of methanol-powered vessels to answer questions about how it can be used in practice. The consortium strives to address a variety of challenges regarding the use of methanol as a marine fuel, including the availability of engines and engine conversion systems; the development of a green methanol supply chain; and the creation of appropriate rules and regulations. Its other projects include the conversion of methanol fuel for a tugboat, a coastguard cutter and a river cruise ship.
Due to its relative ease of use and familiarity, green methanol is one of the two primary alternative fuels considered for deep sea shipping, along with green ammonia. Notable methanol advocates include Maersk Line, which has ordered a series of eight methanol-powered container vessels for delivery in 2024.