Daehan Shipbuilding, Mokpo National Maritime University, USA Classification Co and Sunbo Industry have signed an industry-university cooperation exchange agreement for the joint development of methanol fuel-powered ship technology
Methanol fuel-powered ships are seen as next-generation eco-friendly ships in which methanol fuel supply, storage, and supply-related system safety design, risk assessment, and hull structure are reflected in the design so that methanol can be used as the main fuel for ships instead of diesel oil, a traditional fossil fuel.
Methanol can reduce greenhouse gas by up to 25% compared to conventional marine fuel oil, and has the advantage of being easier to store and transport at room temperature compared to LNG fuel. In addition, the development of a dual fuel diesel engine that can use methanol fuel has been completed, and the cost of fuel tanks and fuel supply facilities is considered lower than that of LNG fuel. However, the energy density (14.9MJ/L) is low with LNG fuel (21.2MJ/L), and the production price and bunkering infrastructure are low.
Considering the increasingly strict marine environmental regulations and the movement to impose carbon taxes on carbon dioxide emitted from ships in developed countries including Europe, methanol fuel is inevitably in the spotlight as a next-generation low-carbon fuel for ships. From April 2021, Korea Shipbuilding & Marine University and Mokpo National Maritime University had conducted joint research to develop basic approval technology for ammonia-fueled preparation ships in response to the IMO initial strategy for greenhouse gas reduction.
The signing of an MoU for the joint development of methanol fuel-powered ship technology is the result of an eco-friendly smart ship technology development project through joint industry-university research as part of a local government-university cooperation-based regional innovation platform project. The partners plan to continuously carry out joint research for the development of marine carbon-neutral technology.
