Industries

Shipping

Harbor and shipping

The Role of eFuels in Green Shipping

While coastal shipping can be electrified using battery power, the bulk of global shipping — with its long transport distances — requires liquid fuel.

Phasing out fossil fuels and replacing them with carbon-neutral fuels is a critical pathway to help the maritime industry achieve a key piece of the puzzle in reaching a fossil-independent maritime vehicle fleet in 2050.

eFuels like eMethanol can be used with existing infrastructure and be harnessed with minimal CAPEX and engine modification compared to ammonia and hydrogen, thereby providing an immediate method to transition to green fuel.

In contrast to biofuels, which are constrained by the limited availability of raw materials needed in their production processes, eFuels have the capacity to achieve the scalability needed to power global shipping.

Several shipping companies have successfully proven that methanol is a viable fuel and eMethanol is increasingly viewed as an accessible solution to enable emission reductions and meet sustainability targets.

Reaching a Negative GHG Footprint with Liquid Wind

There are several alternative green fuels available — however non have the same decarbonising impact as eFuels.

When measured on a Well-to-Wake basis, eFuels like eMethanol are attaining a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) negative footprint (specifically -68.5 to -67.9-gCO₂eq/MJ) at the delivery point. Once combusted, this GHG footprint sits at near carbon neutrality (specifically 2gCO₂eq/MJ).

How? By capturing fully renewable energy from onshore wind and recycling biogenic CO₂. Meaning they meet the environmental standards from the start.

Download our Well-to-Wake white papers to learn more

Insights

Advantages of eMethanol as a Marine Fuel

Reduced Emissions
eMethanol offers significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) compared to traditional fossil fuels. 

When measured on a Well-to-Wake basis, eFuel produced in a Liquid Wind facility achieves an eMethanol GHG footprint of approximately -68.5 to -67.9 gCO₂eq/MJ at the delivery point, which makes it carbon negative before combustion. This is accomplished by fully utilising renewable energy from onshore wind and recycling biogenic CO₂, meeting environmental standards from the outset as a result. 

eFuel from facilities developped by Liquid Wind comply with the EU Maritime Fit for 55 EU legislation. This ensures that the fuel aligns with stringent regulatory requirements aimed at reducing GHG emissions and promotion the use of sustainable energy within the maritime industry and beyond.
Easy to store, transport and distribute
eMethanol, derived from green hydrogen, is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure. This makes it easy to store, transport and distribute by ship, pipeline, truck, and rail – using the existing, well-established, global transportation and storage infrastructure.  
Infrastructure compatibility
eMethanol can leverage existing infrastructure for storage, transport, and distribution. This minimises the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades or investments, streamlining the transition process for marine operators.
Easy to blend
Methanol has been proven as a fuel in ordinary internal combustion engines and blends easily with traditional fuels. This means that, unlike hydrogen, it can relatively easily replace heavy fuel oil in sectors like shipping, requiring only moderate modifications to the current fleet of vessels and the existing fuel distribution infrastructure.
Energy density
Methanol has a higher energy density compared to other alternative fuels like hydrogen, making it a more efficient energy carrier for marine applications. This allows vessels to maintain performance levels while reducing fuel consumption and operational costs.
Safety and stability
eMethanol is a stable and safe fuel option for marine operations. Its physical properties make it suitable for storage and handling, with well-established safety protocols that mirror those of traditional fuels like gasoline and diesel.
Long storage
Safety protocols for Methanol (and eMethanol) transport and storage mirror those of other flammable liquids such as gasoline, jet fuel, and ethanol. When stored correctly, methanol remains stable and its shelf life is indefinite. eMethanol has a long storage life when stored correctly, ensuring reliability and availability for marine operators. This stability contributes to the resilience of marine operations, particularly for long-distance voyages.
Excellent hydrogen carrier
Methanol features an outstanding hydrogen to carbon ratio and a higher volumetric energy density than both compressed and liquid hydrogen, making it a truly exceptional hydrogen carrier. (Remarkably, a liter of methanol holds more elemental hydrogen than a liter of liquid hydrogen!). 
Versatility
eMethanol is a versatile fuel that can be used in a wide range of marine vessels, from cargo ships to cruisers. Its compatibility with existing internal combustion engines makes it an accessible and practical solution for transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Secure Your eMethanol Supply

With a strong pipeline of eFuel projects under development in the Nordics, each with a planned production capacity of 100 ktpa, we provide a reliable path to large-scale supply.

Connect with us to explore long-term offtake opportunities.

Get in touch

Proud Members of the Getting to Zero Coalition

At Liquid Wind, we hold a deep belief in the power of collaboration to foster positive change. We highly value the contributions of various organisations, NGOs, and industry leaders working tirelessly towards a more sustainable future powered by fossil-free fuels. In line with our commitment to collaborative efforts, we are proud to be part of the Getting To Zero Coalition. This global initiative unites industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, aiming to accelerate the transition of the maritime industry towards decarbonisation.

Getting+to+Zero+Coalition+membership+announcement
  • Innovative solutions: By being part of the Getting to Zero Coalition, we gain access to a collaborative network of experts and cutting-edge solutions, which accelerates the development of sustainable marine fuels, bringing us closer to a future where our oceans are navigated with minimal environmental impact.

  • Collective impact: Sustainability is a shared responsibility. Joining forces with the Getting to Zero Coalition demonstrates a commitment to a cleaner, greener maritime sector.

  • Global leadership: The Getting to Zero Coalition operates on a global scale, amplifying Liquid Wind's influence in the international effort to reduce carbon emissions from maritime activities.