Auramarine unveils “world first” methanol supply system for cruise sector

The luxury Mein Schiff 7 newbuild is said to be the first of its kind in the maritime industry, with Auramarine conducting sea trials in May with delivery expected in the summer of this year.

The vessel has a length of 316 meters, a width of 35.8 meters and can accommodate almost 2900 passengers along with 1000 crew. The ship’s operations will be powered by low-emission marine diesel oil with a shore power connection allowing for nearly zero-emissions in port.

Cruise ships are often caught by CII due to their low speed and extended time in port so is a difficult sector to decarbonise. The Mein Schiff 7 will spend about 40% of its time in port for instance.

Auramarine’s methanol supply system sees the fuel safely delivered from the service tank to the master fuel valve, with the flow, pressure and temperature regulated to the requirements of the engine.

As part of the deal with TUI Cruises, Auramarine will supply the methanol bunker and transfer systems and a gas detection and methanol bilge system are also included.

John Bergman, CEO of Auramarine, told The Motorship: “For the cruise industry, it’s [the use of methanol] to show they are the pioneer of environmental friendliness ensuring reducing GHG emissions by very active measures.”

Regarding the company’s systems applications to other types of vessels, Bergman added: “The same system can be replicated for other vessels, such as tankers and container vessels. We can use the same system with different configurations, different fuel preparation rooms and also retrofit them.”

TUI Cruises is seeking to operate the first climate-neutral cruises by 2030, a goal compounded by its aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 27.5% in absolute terms in the same time frame.

As the IMO and other regulators have underlined that a well-to-wake approach is being used to determine shipping emissions, Bergman said that the system works the same with grey and green methanol putting the onus on shipowners on sourcing the fuel to remain compliant.