--- title: Preventing Engine Failures at Sea with eMethanol description: Reduce engine failures at sea with eMethanol—a cleaner, cost-effective fuel that lowers contamination risk and uses existing infrastructure. image: https://www.liquidwind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock-149051796_Stones%2c+water_adjusted.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/preventing-engine-failures-at-sea-with-emethanol#main-content) [![Liquid Wind](https://www.liquidwind.com/hubfs/Liquid%20Wind.svg)](https://www.liquidwind.com/) - Projects With several projects under development in Sweden and Finland, our plan is to reach more than 10 projects by 2030. - Technologies By converting green hydrogen and biogenic CO₂ into eMethanol, our eFuel facilities provide a fossil-free fuel for hard-to-abate sectors. - Industries eFuel facilities developed by Liquid Wind support circular economy by capturing biogenic CO₂ to produce green methanol. - About Secure your eMethanol supply. Learn more about our tailored offtake solutions - News & Insights Search [Invest](https://www.liquidwind.com/invest) [Contact Us](https://www.liquidwind.com/contact) [Shipping](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/tag/shipping) # Preventing Engine Failures at Sea with eMethanol 12-09-2024 ![](https://www.liquidwind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock-149051796_Stones%2c+water_adjusted.jpg?width=1040&name=iStock-149051796_Stones%2c+water_adjusted.jpg) Fuel contamination is a major issue for the maritime industry, threatening the operational efficiency and safety of vessels. Traditional fuels like Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) are particularly prone to contamination, which can cause engine problems, increased maintenance costs, and reduced fuel efficiency. In the worst cases, critical components like fuel injectors can fail, leaving a vessel unable to sail — leading to lost revenue. Ensuring engine performance and maintaining warranties are top priorities for shipowners, which is why fuel contamination is considered a significant risk. In 2023, over 120 incidents of power or propulsion losses at sea were directly linked to fuel-related issues, according to a report by FuelTrust(1). Additionally, 39% of global bunkers between 2021 and 2022 showed discrepancies in fuel content, highlighting the widespread issue of fuel contamination.   **The Problem with Fuel Contamination** Contamination occurs when undesirable substances — such as water, particulates, microbes, or chemicals — enter the fuel. Each type of contaminant can cause significant damage: - **Water**: Water can enter fuel during storage or bunkering, promoting microbial growth that forms sludge, which clogs filters and injectors. Water also leads to rust and corrosion in engine parts, and in cold temperatures, it can freeze and block fuel lines. - **Particulates**: Dust, dirt, and metal fragments in the fuel cause abrasive wear on engine parts like pumps and injectors, accelerating their deterioration. - **Microbial Growth**: Bacteria and fungi thrive in the water-fuel interface, producing corrosive byproducts and clogging filters with sludge, leading to engine malfunctions. - **Chemical Contaminants**: Sulfur and heavy metals found in traditional fuels can accelerate engine corrosion and create harmful deposits, reducing engine lifespan. **Methanol: The Hidden Advantage** One of the key reasons methanol is emerging as a leading solution for marine fuel is its **purity**. Methanol contains no sulfur, metals, or particulates, virtually eliminating the risk of contamination-related engine issues. Even though large diesel engines can handle some contamination, methanol’s **zero contamination risk** means engine performance remains optimal without the need to worry about impurities. While methanol can have minor contamination risks during logistics (such as during transfer from storage tanks to the ship), these are minimal compared to the challenges faced by ammonia or LNG, which require specialised and complex handling systems.   **The Logistical Advantage of Methanol** A significant benefit of methanol is its compatibility with **existing fuel infrastructure**. Methanol can be stored, transported, and handled using the same pipelines, tanks, and systems designed for traditional fuels like MDO. A simple chemical clean of pipes and tanks is usually enough to switch between methanol and other fuels, unlike ammonia or LNG, which require entirely new systems. For fuel supply chain players — such as bunker barges, storage operators, and end-users — this means: - **Lower costs**: No need for expensive new infrastructure, as existing systems can be adapted to handle methanol. - **Easy fuel switching**: Switching between methanol and MDO is as simple as cleaning a tank, allowing for flexibility in fuel use. - **Faster adoption**: Since methanol can use existing infrastructure, the transition can happen more quickly and with fewer barriers.   **Methanol’s Overall Cost Benefit** In comparison, ammonia and LNG require highly specialised storage systems due to their hazardous nature. Ammonia is toxic, and LNG requires cryogenic tanks for storage at extremely low temperatures. Methanol’s ability to use **existing infrastructure** makes it the most **cost-effective** and **practical solution** for both the short and long term.   **Conclusion** Methanol’s **purity** and compatibility with **existing logistics** make it an ideal choice as the maritime industry moves toward cleaner fuel alternatives. Its benefits go beyond engine performance and compliance with regulations — methanol offers an efficient, scalable solution for fuel storage and transport. As the demand for sustainable [shipping](https://www.liquidwind.com/shipping) grows, methanol is proving to be the most practical and cost-effective fuel option. The impact of fuel contamination is far-reaching, affecting not only engine performance but also the overall safety and operational efficiency of vessels. Reducing these risks with a cleaner, more reliable fuel like methanol is essential to ensuring smoother maritime operations.   (1)The cost of fraud in the maritime fuel market, FuelTrust, June 2023: [https://info.fueltrust.io/hubfs/Files/whitepapers/wp-cost-of-fraud-in-maritime-fuel-market-jun2023.pdf](https://safety4sea.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FuelTrust-Cost-of-fraud-in-maritime-fuel-market-2023_06.pdf)   ---   **Content contributors** **David Hammarström,** Technical Project Development Manager, Liquid Wind **Joost Weterings**, Commercial Director, Liquid Wind **Thomas Stenhede**, Senior Technical Adviser, Liquid Wind [Share on LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liquidwind.com%2Fblog%2Fpreventing-engine-failures-at-sea-with-emethanol%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [Share on X Share on X](https://x.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liquidwind.com%2Fblog%2Fpreventing-engine-failures-at-sea-with-emethanol%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liquidwind.com%2Fblog%2Fpreventing-engine-failures-at-sea-with-emethanol%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) ### More articles from Liquid Wind [View all articles](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/preventing-engine-failures-at-sea-with-emethanol#test) [![](https://www.liquidwind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20Images/freight.jpg?width=1024&height=1024&name=freight.jpg)](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/retrofitting-marine-engines-for-methanol-use) 12-11-2024 [Shipping](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/tag/shipping) ### [Retrofitting Marine Engines for Methanol Use](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/retrofitting-marine-engines-for-methanol-use) [Read more](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/retrofitting-marine-engines-for-methanol-use) [![](https://www.liquidwind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock-1418267688-May-08-2025-01-10-49-7993-PM.jpg?width=1024&height=1024&name=iStock-1418267688-May-08-2025-01-10-49-7993-PM.jpg)](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/understanding-green-shipping-corridors) 19-08-2024 [Shipping](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/tag/shipping) [Sustainability](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/tag/sustainability) ### [Understanding Green Shipping Corridors](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/understanding-green-shipping-corridors) [Read more](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/understanding-green-shipping-corridors) [![](https://www.liquidwind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock-529066126_Harbor.jpg?width=1024&height=1024&name=iStock-529066126_Harbor.jpg)](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/emethanol-a-cleaner-fuel-for-sustainable-shipping) 26-04-2024 [Shipping](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/tag/shipping) [eMethanol](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/tag/emethanol) ### [eMethanol: A Cleaner Fuel for Sustainable Shipping](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/emethanol-a-cleaner-fuel-for-sustainable-shipping) [Read more](https://www.liquidwind.com/blog/emethanol-a-cleaner-fuel-for-sustainable-shipping) ## LIQUID WIND Global Headquarters Sankt Eriksgatan 6 411 05 Gothenburg, Sweden  [LinkedIn](https://se.linkedin.com/company/liquid-wind) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCec6Iw5bKkCxuOC4qbi7t1g) - 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