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Fueling the future of maritime transport with e-methanol

Over 80% of the world's trade is effectively transported by sea. Every day, more than 100,000 vessels carry food, oil, raw materials, electronics, and other goods across the oceans. Concurrently, nearly 100% of the vessels are powered by fossil fuels, such as heavy fuel oil (HFO), accounting for about 2.9%  of global CO₂ emissions, without counting the additional land logistics. E-methanol is a scalable and sustainable fuel alternative for HFO, and the technology, supply chains, and market already exist.

Today, large container vessels burn around 84,000 gallons per day of fuel, accumulating to 330 million metric tons  per year of total fuel consumption, generating emissions with vicious effects on the environment and human health, e.g. CO₂ causes global warming, NOx accounts for respiratory diseases and particulate matters cause health issues.

Towards more sustainable maritime transport 

The industry has been called to change its course. For example, the EU Fuel Maritime directive promotes the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels for ships and sets maximum limits for the yearly average greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used by ships, requiring the intensity to gradually decrease over time, reaching up to 80% reduction by 2050. Furthermore, the EU ETS covers 50% of emissions of the extra-EU voyage and 100% of the intra-EU voyage, surrendering 40% of total reported emissions in 2024, 70% in 2025, and 100% thereafter. These obligations bring the shipping industry into the EU carbon market. In addition, The IMO aims to cut industry emissions by 20% by 2030 and by 70% by 2040 . Using e-methanol supports compliance with stricter regulations and aligns with the global move towards sustainable shipping practices.

Deploying e-methanol as a marine fuel is a good mean for CO2 reduction, and dramatically lowers emissions of sulfur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM) compared to Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) or Marine Gas Oil (MGO). At ANDRITZ, we fuel the future of maritime by offering integrated P2X solutions for e-methanol production.

Harness the potential of e-methanol

Proven production technology

Producing e-methanol through the synthesis of green hydrogen and captured biogenic CO2 mitigates the reliance on fossil fuels and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. At ANDRITZ, we offer related technologies, both proprietary and in partnership, and full-fledged EPC solutions.




Vast supply of raw materials

Biogenic CO2, today often an unused feedstock, is vastly available. At ANDRITZ, based on pulp factory installations and with the help of our carbon capture technology, we can contribute to making this feedstock available at acceptable prices. A single pulp mill can deliver 2 MTA of biogenic CO2 which enables production of around 1.2 MTA of e-methanol.


Established supply chains in place

Methanol terminals and transport vessels are available at scale and the supply chain is easily expandable to ensure intercontinental logistics for a reliable e-methanol supply to the maritime industry. Already today, methanol is available at 120 ports globally.



 


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A growing market is waiting

E-methanol is gaining popularity, emerging as a primary alternative fuel after LNG. The largest global shipping giants, early adopters, are charting the course toward sustainable fuels, particularly e-methanol.

For example, Maersk, Evergreen and Cosco, have invested in e-methanol-powered vessels. In 2024, there are 357 vessels in the order book, of which 195 ships have methanol dual-fuel engines. The remaining 162 are methanol-ready, methanol or ammonia-ready, or methanol, ammonia or LNG-ready.


Explore ANDRITZ e-Methanol Solutions 

Andreas Rupieper

"E-methanol contributes to defossilization and enables environmentally friendly fuel combustion in maritime powertrains. Leveraging our proprietary technological expertise, ANDRITZ is committed to providing EPC solutions for such e-methanol production plants. This aligns perfectly with the core ambitions of the ANDRITZ Environment and Energy business area."


Andreas Rupieper, VP Strategy and Business Development, P2X, ANDRITZ


ANDRITZ: Your holistic partner in e-methanol plants

ANDRITZ responds to the urgent need for the maritime industry's decarbonization  and green transition. We provide holistic and integrated P2X  plants enabling the production of e-methanol — ranging from consulting to EPC projects with full performance guarantees, including ANDRITZ proprietary technologies. Our long-term service agreements are based on our proprietary digital solution.

ANDRITZ's solutions include

  • Converting an idea into a detailed design and project plan
  • Pre-engineering work (FEL-1 - FEL-3) to fully support the customer's FID (final investment decision)
  • Executing the project plan as EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) 
  • Providing LTSA services for the operating plant.



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