New Class AIP could improve business case for methanol retrofit
New, more practical methanol retrofits may be just around the corner (Source: RINA)
SRC Methanol Superstorage Technology has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from classification society RINA, opening the door to more potential methanol retrofits and a stronger business case.
The technology offers a solution for accommodating larger amounts of methanol fuel into limited onboard storage spaces in ships, supporting efforts to meet decarbonisation targets.
The AiP confirms that the storage system complies with RINA’s guidelines for novel technologies. Methanol, which is seen as a potential pathway to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) target of Net Zero by 2050, is increasingly used in the shipping industry, with around 240 methanol-capable vessels currently in service or under construction.
Traditional methanol storage solutions require a cofferdam between tank walls, reducing space efficiency. SRC’s Methanol Superstorage replaces this with Sandwich Plate System (SPS) Technology, offering a triple barrier against leakage and increasing storage capacity by 85%. SPS has been used in maritime and offshore sectors for over 20 years and meets A60 fire safety standards.
A recent retrofit of methanol on Maersk Halifax required the vessel to be lengthened by 15m in order to accommodate the necessary methanol tanks. RINA’s approval acknowledges the technology’s ability to improve use of space while ensuring safety in storing methanol fuel across different ship types, potentially making it possible to achieve similar results without such drastic alterations.
