PROMAN Stena Bulk, a joint venture between methanol producer Proman and tanker shipping company Stena Bulk, has this week taken delivery of its second methanol-powered newbuild tanker, Stena Pro Marine.
The first vessel in the series, Stena Pro Patria, was delivered in June.
A statement from Stena Bulk said methanol as a marine fuel provides a proven net-zero pathway that allows shipowners to invest in vessels that are already futureproofed.
The company said in addition to immediate greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide emissions can be steadily reduced by blending increasing quantities of low-carbon and renewable methanol in the coming years, without any changes to engines or wider infrastructure.
Both 49,990-DWT IMOIIMeMAX dual-fuel mid-range tankers were built at Guangzhou Shipyard International Co in China.
The company said Stena Pro Marine, like Stena Pro Patria, is expected to consume 12,500 tonnes of methanol per annum. The use of methanol onboard virtually eliminates local pollutants including sulphur oxides and particulate matter, cuts nitrous oxides emissions by 60% and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 15% on a tank to wake basis versus conventional marine fuels.
Proman Shipping managing director, marketing and logistics Anita Gajadhar said: “Vessels such as the Stena Pro Marine demonstrate to shipowners and policymakers that the industry can take proactive and immediate steps on the decarbonisation pathway.”
“Proman and other producers are ramping up investments in low-carbon methanol technologies and renewables projects to meet rapidly expanding customer demand. As regulators continue to propel much-needed maritime decarbonisation, including the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package, these vessels underline the importance of a regulatory framework that relies on one certification methodology for alternative fuels and accurate emission measurements of all fuels – including reduced carbon-intensity fossil-origin products, which play an important early role in accelerating the switch to cleaner fuels and enabling the pathway to net-zero.”
Stena Bulk president and CEO Erik Hånell said: “We’re proud to be able to add Stena Pro Marine alongside Stena Pro Patria to our fleet with this delivery announcement. We truly believe that these vessels are not only a step forward for MR tanker design but are also a clear statement of intent to the market. They showcase our confidence in methanol as an important and viable solution for the future of sustainable shipping.”
