The Port of Antwerp supplied the tug for the ‘methatug’ initiative, part of the European Union-funded Fastwater project, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of methanol as a sustainable marine fuel. The methatug is expected be operational in early 2022.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp, said: “This methatug is a further and also an important step in the transition towards a sustainable and CO2-neutral port that has enabled us to overcome a variety of technical and regulatory challenges. Thanks to projects such as this, we are paving the way and hope to be an example and a source of inspiration for other ports.”
Project partners
Besides the Port of Antwerp, there are several other project partners. Belgian engineering company, Multi, carried out the feasibility study for the project. Swedish shipbuilder, Scandinaos, designed the vessel’s modifications, ABC (Anglo Belgian Corporation) is responsible for converting the engine and for installing the methanol tanks and pipes, while the German company, Heinzmann, is adapting the injectors.
The methatug development has been funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme.
This marine fuel first is a key step in the Port of Antwerp’s transition to becoming a sustainable and CO2-neutral port. Antwerp is the fifth largest bunkering port in the world and by 2025, it aims to become a fully-fledged multi-fuel port.