Commodities giant Cargill has announce that its first green methanol dual-fuel dry bulk vessel has commenced operations, the first of a new fleet of ships chartered by the firm as it seeks to reduce maritime emissions and test alternative fuel options.
The vessel, Brave Pioneer was built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and is owned by Mitsui & Co. Ltd. It is capable of operating on both conventional marine fuels and green methanol, a lower-carbon alternative.
According to Cargill, the use of green methanol can reduce the CO2 emissions associated with shipping by up to 70%, with the deployment of the Brave Pioneer representing ‘another important milestone in Cargill’s broader decarbonisation efforts’, it noted.
‘Take bold steps’
“Decarbonising global shipping requires a mix of technologies and the willingness to take bold steps before the entire ecosystem is ready,” commented Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business. “Technologies like green methanol or wind-assisted propulsion come with uncertainty. But as an industry leader, we have a responsibility to test these innovations on the water, share what we learn, and help shape the systems and standards that will enable wider adoption.”
The vessel departed from the Philippines on 15 January, bunkering will green methanol in Singapore before sailing to Western Australia and then onward to Europe.
During its maiden voyage, Cargill plans to run a number of operational trials, to evaluate methanol bunkering readiness, better understand how environmental attributes can be traced and verified through carbon accounting systems, and assess the market appetite for low-carbon freight solutions.
‘Optionality and adaptability’
“We know the road to low carbon shipping will require a mix of solutions and green methanol is one part of that portfolio,” Dieleman added. “Our new fleet is about optionality and adaptability. These vessels are engineered to perform at a best-in-class level on conventional fuel today, while allowing us to switch to greener fuels as availability improves. It’s a practical way to future-proof ocean transport.”
Cargill is one of the world’s largest charterers of dry bulk freight, with the company saying its actions send a ‘strong demand signal’ to the market, and an ‘open invitation’ for other operators to join the transition to sustainable shipping. Read more here.
