– Pratik Bijlani
The Stena Prosperous, the final vessel in Proman Stena Bulk’s innovative joint venture, was christened at a ceremony held at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore. This venture between leading tanker company Stena Bulk and prominent methanol producer Proman marks the completion of their fleet of six methanol-fueled tankers, ordered in 2019, with the first ship delivered in June 2022.
Methanol as a marine fuel offers significant environmental benefits. It reduces emissions of Sulfur Oxides (SOx), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), and particulate matter, and offers substantial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions when produced renewably. Methanol is also economically advantageous due to existing infrastructure and competitive pricing. Additionally, it poses lower environmental and safety risks compared to conventional fuels and helps operators meet stringent regulatory requirements. Using methanol instead of traditional fuels nearly eliminates SOx and particulate matter emissions and cuts NOx emissions by up to 80%.
Advanced technologies, such as carbon capture, storage, and utilization in the production process, further cut emissions. Green methanol, produced from biogas, can achieve more than 90% GHG emissions savings. The viability of methanol as a sustainable fuel is demonstrated by the Stena Prosperous using a 20/80 blend.
Currently, all six vessels are in commercial operation on methanol. Two of the vessels are on long-term time charters to allow the market to gain wider operational experience with methanol. With four vessels operational throughout 2023, Proman Stena Bulk has tracked and assessed the fleet’s emissions performance, revealing a GHG emissions savings of approximately 5,500 tonnes annually compared to very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).
The ships have also demonstrated superior operational efficiency, as per the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) methodology. Notably, the Stena Pro Patria outperformed the IMO’s 2025 target by 11%, setting a new benchmark for methanol-fueled tankers. The fleet is crewed and operated by Northern Marine Group, highlighting the technical similarities to conventionally fueled vessels, ensuring no need for new operating procedures.
This milestone underscores the promising future of methanol as a viable and sustainable marine fuel, aligning with industry goals for reduced emissions and environmental impact.
Marex Media