By Sanvee Goupta
Introduction
The maritime industry is under intense pressure to decarbonise and meet the IMO 2050 targets. Bulk carriers, which transport dry commodities like coal, grain, and ore, are a major contributor to global emissions. Among alternative fuels, methanol has emerged as a practical and scalable solution for bulk carriers. This article explores why methanol is gaining traction, current adoption trends, shipyard capabilities, and the challenges ahead.
Why Methanol for Bulk Carriers?
Methanol offers several compelling advantages over traditional marine fuels:
- Lower Emissions: Reduces SOx by up to 99%, NOx by 80%, and CO₂ by around 10% compared to heavy fuel oil.
- Carbon-Neutral Potential: When produced as bio-methanol or e-methanol, it can achieve near-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
- Ease of Storage and Handling: Liquid at ambient temperature, requiring simpler infrastructure than LNG.
- Regulatory Compliance: Aligns with IMO’s decarbonisation roadmap and EU Fit for 55 targets.
Current Adoption of Methanol Bulk Carriers
- First Methanol Bulk Carrier: Green Future, delivered in May 2025 by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding for NYK Group. The vessel is based on TESS66 AEROLINE design, with a distinctive bow and accommodation house to reduce the wind and resistance by approximately 20%.
- Fleet Growth: According to DNV, 53 methanol dual-fuel bulk carriers are currently on order, part of 369 methanol-fuelled vessels scheduled for delivery by 2030.
- Trend: In 2024 alone, 20 new methanol orders were for bulk carriers, signalling rapid adoption.
Shipyards Leading Methanol Bulk Carrier Construction
Several global shipyards have embraced methanol technology:
- Tsuneishi Shipbuilding (Japan): Delivered the first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier and has multiple KAMSARMAX orders.
- Nihon Shipyard & Imabari Shipbuilding (Japan): Building Ultramax methanol-fuelled bulk carriers for Pacific Basin.
- Mitsubishi Shipbuilding (Japan): Developing methanol dual-fuel designs leveraging LNG experience.
- Wuhu Shipyard (China): Signed contracts for methanol dual-fuel bulk carriers.
Benefits for Shipowners
- Future-Proof Investment: Methanol-ready vessels ensure compliance with tightening emissions regulations.
- Operational Flexibility: Dual-fuel engines allow switching between methanol and conventional fuels.
- Market Advantage: Early adopters gain a competitive edge in green shipping corridors.
Challenges of Methanol Adoption
- Fuel Availability: Global methanol bunkering infrastructure is still developing.
- Cost: Green methanol is currently more expensive than conventional fuels.
- Energy Density: Lower than heavy fuel oil and LNG, requiring larger storage tanks.
- Material Compatibility: Methanol is corrosive to certain metals and seals, necessitating specialised materials.
- Safety: Toxic and flammable, requiring crew training and strict handling protocols.
- Storage tanks for methanol bulk carriers are typically made of stainless steel and can be either integral or purpose-built. They require corrosion protection due to methanol’s corrosive nature, especially when in contact with air-absorbed moisture and inorganic salts, and must feature a controlled venting system with pressure/vacuum valves. The tanks are often placed on deck and must be inerted, with the oxygen content kept below 8%.
- Recent analysis made possible methanol to be stowed in the Engine room
Future Outlook
Methanol is no longer a niche option—it’s a mainstream solution for sustainable shipping. With dozens of bulk carriers on order and major shipyards investing in methanol-ready designs, the industry is moving towards a cleaner, greener future. As production of green methanol scales and bunkering infrastructure expands, methanol could become the dominant fuel for bulk carriers by the 2030s.
References
- DNV Alternative Fuels Insight – Methanol adoption statistics and fleet projections.
https://afi.dnv.com - NYK Group Press Release – Delivery of the first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier Green Future.
https://www.nyk.com/news - Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Announcement – Methanol dual-fuel KAMSARMAX bulk carriers.
https://www.tsuneishi.co.jp - Pacific Basin Shipping News – Orders for Ultramax methanol-fuelled bulk carriers.
https://www.pacificbasin.com - IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy – Regulatory framework for alternative fuels.
https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Greenhouse-Gas-Reduction.aspx - Methanol Institute – Technical and safety guidelines for methanol bunkering.
https://www.methanol.org - Lloyd’s Register Reports – Shipyard capabilities and alternative fuel readiness.
https://www.lr.org - Clarksons Research – Market trends for methanol-fuelled vessels.
https://www.clarksons.net
The Maritime-Hub Editorial Team
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Maritime-Hub. Readers are advised to research this information before making decisions based on it.
