Swedish ferry operator Stena Line has contracted Finnish engineering firm Wartsila to convert some of its fleet to methanol-fuelled engines.
The vessels will be able to burn either methanol or conventional bunker fuels after their conversion in 2025, with operators responsible for the fuel selection.
The vessels to be converted will be selected later this year along with the routes on which they will be deployed. Stena could not confirm the number of ships, their sizes, nor their expected consumption of conventional or alternative marine fuels.
The engines will be compatible with green or grey methanol as well as e-methanol. Stena told Argus the choice will be influenced by costs. Fossil-derived methanol is much cheaper and more widely available than green methanol.
Stena said it is developing a methanol supply chain for the entire industry to rely on, potentially involving methanol producer Proman, renewables firm Orsted and marine fuels supplier Profinex.
