Costa Group, part of Carnival Corporation and Europe’s leading cruise operator with its two brands Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, and global methanol major Switzerland-headed Proman AG, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive further the implementation of methanol as a marine fuel for the cruise industry.
According to a statement, the partnership aims to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonization of the existing fleet by enhancing the supply of sustainable methanol, paving the way for the retrofitting of existing vessels to operate on clean fuel, as well as investment in further methanol-fueled new builds.
The MoU reaffirms methanol’s potential to play a key role in the ongoing reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the cruise sector and other shipping segments.
Methanol is a cleaner-burning fuel that virtually eliminates airborne pollutants such as particulate matter (PM) and sulphur oxides (SOx) and is widely available and increasingly produced via lower-carbon, biogenic or hydrogen-based pathways.
When used in fuel cells, methanol has the potential to allow for lifecycle zero emissions in the near future.
Furthermore, methanol is emerging as a leading alternative fuel to meet GHG reduction goals due to its easy-to-handle properties, making it attractive for both new builds and for refitting existing ships.
As one of the most widely traded chemical commodities, the infrastructure for ship supply could be adapted from existing infrastructure.
All forms of methanol, whether natural-gas-based, low-carbon, or renewable, can be blended regardless of production pathways. It, therefore, enables a reliable transition pathway from today to fully GHG-neutral cruise ships in near future.
The technology to retrofit a vessel to accept methanol as fuel is available today. Our methanol products can facilitate the transition to low-carbon intensity fuels. Methanol-powered vessels have a proven track record of reducing and eliminating major greenhouse gas emissions, delivering immediate air quality improvements around major ports and shipping lanes. We are excited to bring our expertise along the full methanol value chain to help deliver on Costa Group’s bold ambitions, said Tim Cornelius, Managing Director of Corporate Development at Proman.
Advancing the cruise industry
Over the years, Costa Group has been leading sustainable innovation in the global cruise industry by steadily pioneering advanced technologies on board its new and existing ships.
The company was the first to introduce liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion for emission reduction with four ships already in service in the Costa Group fleet. The majority of Costa Group ships are equipped with shore power capabilities to be zero emissions in ports where the technology is available, and the Company has also performed the first tests on biofuels.
By this and the likes of the partnership with Proman, Costa Group says that it has proven that “fuel transition in the marine industry is possible through strong industry collaboration and shared visions for a sustainable future.”
We are reducing the carbon footprint of our fleet while at the port and at sea, investing in advanced environmental technologies, and partnering with companies such as Proman who share a passion for the sustainable energy transition. By enabling cruise ships to use methanol as a propulsion fuel, Costa follows the ambition to take the next big step towards GHG-neutral operations of our fleet by 2050, said Dr Christoph Schladoer, VP of Decarbonisation at Costa Group.
