VESSELS

Alfa Laval methanol LFSS chosen for 6 vessels

4 years ago

In this year’s largest methanol order to date, Alfa Laval FCM Methanol has been selected as the low-flashpoint fuel supply system (LFSS) on board six dual-fuel container vessels.

The company will provide the LFSS for six 1,170 teu container vessels ordered by Eastaway, a member of the X-Press Feeders Group. The new vessel series, to be built at Ningbo Xinle Shipbuilding Group and New Dayang Shipbuilding, will have two-stroke MAN B&W ME-LGIM engines that can run on methanol as well as conventional fuels.

“With their ability to sail on green methanol, these vessels will be front-runners in the move to carbon-neutral operations,” said Peter Nielsen, president, Alfa Laval Marine Separation & Heat Transfer Equipment.

“Methanol is a major advance on the path to decarbonisation, and the FCM Methanol can be instrumental for shipowners in making the leap.”

The FCM Methanol safely supplies methanol within the flow rate, pressure, temperature, and filtration parameters specified by the engine maker, reports Alfa Laval. It can be adapted to any engine and vessel design, enabling turnkey LFSS deliveries for easy installation. Since 2015, the system has been chosen in nearly 20 methanol projects for more than 10 large shipping companies.

“Over years at sea, the FCM Methanol has established a leading position in the industry,” said Alfa Laval’s Viktor Friberg, head of Marine Separation & Fuel Supply Systems.

“Shipowners can count on its proven automation to keep methanol operations safe and secure, but the design advantages are equally strong for engineering companies and shipbuilders. From integration to operation, the FCM Methanol makes it simpler to work with this new green fuel.”