Port of Antwerp to convert world’s first methatug

In Belgium, the Port of Antwerp will convert a tugboat to a methanol propulsion, a world first. This methatug is part of the European Fastwater project, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of methanol as a sustainable fuel for shipping. The European Commission has approved this this week. With this world first, the port of Antwerp is taking another important step in the transition to a sustainable and CO2-neutral port.

The methatug is part of the Fastwater project, which was set up by a consortium of European maritime research and technology leaders, including Port of Antwerp. The consortium aims to demonstrate the feasibility of sustainable methanol as a future-proof fuel for carbon neutral shipping. The project is funded from the European research and innovation program Horizon 2020. As part of the project, Port of Antwerp will convert one of its tugs to a methanol propulsion system.

In addition to Port of Antwerp, which will supply the tug, several other partners are involved in this project. For example, the Belgian engineering company Multi carried out the feasibility study for the project. From the Fastwater consortium, the Swedish company Scandinaos has fully designed the ship, ABC (Anglo Belgian Corporation) is responsible for the conversion of the engine and for the methanol tanks and pipes, and the German Heinzmann is adapting the injectors.

This first is part of an integral greening program of the Port of Antwerp’s own fleet, which systematically strives to integrate the most environmentally friendly available technologies. The port of Antwerp, the fifth largest bunkering port in the world, has integrated LNG into the bunkering market in recent years. By 2025, the port wants to develop into a fully-fledged multi-fuel port where seagoing and inland vessels can bunker, in addition to conventional fuels, alternative, low-carbon fuels such as methanol, hydrogen or electricity.