Proman Stena Bulk’s Fourth Methanol-Fueled Tanker Delivered

Proman Stena Bulk has successfully taken delivery of its fourth methanol-fueled tanker, Stena Prosperous, paving the way for methanol’s uptake as a viable alternative fuel to help reduce emissions from the maritime sector.

Proman Stena Bulk is the 50/50 joint venture formed in 2019 between leading tanker company Stena Bulk and the leading methanol producer Proman.

The 49,990 DWT Stena Prosperous was delivered from Guangzhou Shipyard International Co Ltd (GSI) and will now enter commercial operation running fully on methanol.

The joint venture says the delivery caps a “marquee year” with the successful deliveries of the first four vessels (of six planned) in its methanol-fueled IMOIIMeMax series. All four are now actively trading and bunkering fully on low-emission methanol fuel. Stena Prosperous joins the Proman Stena Bulk-owned Stena Pro Patria and Stena Pro Marine, and the Proman-owned Stena Promise.

The fleet has already loaded methanol fuel in Ulsan, Trinidad and Rotterdam in the past year, with other major bunkering hubs to follow in 2023.

“It’s fantastic to be able to end 2022 with a fourth methanol tanker joining our joint venture fleet,” said Erik Hånell, President and CEO of Stena Bulk. “These vessels are truly pioneering and meet the highest standards of safety, sustainability and efficiency, laying down a marker for what is already possible today through progressive partnerships like ours with Proman.”

The deliveries underscore Proman Stena Bulk’s commitment to drive the maritime sectors’ uptake of methanol as a marine fuel. Stena Prosperous, like the other methanol-fueled vessels, has an ultra-low EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) value while running on methanol. The vessels also benefit from industry-leading design improvements and technologies to maximize energy efficiency and minimize fuel consumption, resulting in an EEDI value that 11% below the 2025 Phase 3 requirements and setting a new benchmark for mid-range tankers.

Moreover, the series’ “future-proofed” engine designs make them ready to meet or exceed every incoming emissions reduction target, as greater quantities of very low-carbon blue and renewable methanol becomes available for blending and bunkering in the near future.

Stena Prosperous will use approximately 12,500 tonnes of methanol as fuel per year. Conventional methanol from natural gas, which is widely available, virtually eliminates SOx and particulate matter, cuts NOx by 60%, and reduces CO2 emissions from the vessel’s operations by up to 15% on a tank-to-wake basis, compared to conventional marine fuels.

“We are immensely proud of what our joint venture with Stena Bulk has been able to achieve over the last year,” says Anita Gajadhar, Managing Director of Marketing and Logistics at Proman. “We now have four vessels in operation running on methanol as a marine fuel, which proves that methanol isn’t a future fuel – it’s a today fuel. It’s highly scalable and commercially viable decarbonization pathway means it is one of best solutions for shipowners to meet sustainability commitments and every incoming emissions target that the maritime industry will face.”

The news of Stena Prosperous’s delivery comes as interest in methanol as a marine fuel reaches new heights. In October 2022, methanol ships were the leading category of newbuild ships on order, and MAN Energy Solutions estimates that around 25% of its order pipeline is for methanol engines across a range of vessel classes.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up