Methanol to power cruise?

CARNIVAL Corporation and natural gas company Proman have joined forces toward the decarbonisation of the cruise industry through the AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises brands.

The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to drive the implementation of methanol as a marine fuel, and at large to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonisation of AIDA and Costa’s existing fleets.

The MOU will pave the way for the retrofitting of existing vessels to operate on this clean ocean fuel, in addition to investing in methanol-fuelled newbuilds.

“We are reducing the carbon footprint of our fleet while at port and at sea, investing in advanced environmental technologies and partnering with companies such as Proman who share a passion for sustainable energy transition,” Costa Group Vice President Decarbonisation Christoph Schladoer declared.

“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.”

Proman Managing Director Corporate Development Tim Cornelius said the company’s methanol products can facilitate the cruise industry’s 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,” he said.

“We are excited to bring our expertise along the full methanol value chain to help deliver on Costa Group’s bold ambitions”.