Consortium Sets Out to Develop Methanol Retrofit for Cummins Engine

In a significant initiative to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions from offshore support vessel (OSV) operations, a consortium led by engine manufacturer Cummins will develop a conversion kit that will enable a marine engine to use biodiesel and methanol as fuel. The project, supported by UK funding of $5.4M, is a collaboration between Cummins and ZEVI consortium partners, including vessel owner Ocean Infinity, port administrator Aberdeen Harbour Board, and fuel producer Proman.

The project has been selected as one of the ten initiatives under the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, a platform encouraging the creation of innovative solutions to reduce the maritime industry's environmental footprint. The main objective of the partnership is to convert Cummins' QSK60 marine engine to burn methanol, thereby significantly reducing CO2 emissions.

The technology will be tested on one of Ocean Infinity’s Armada 78-metre lean-crewed, hybrid OSVs. This vessel will be serviced at the Port of Aberdeen, while Proman, ranked among the world's largest methanol producers, will supply a low-carbon version of the fuel. The trial is not just an important step towards achieving lower carbon emissions in marine operations, but it also paves the way for the broader adoption of green fuels in the maritime sector.

Mark Bargent, Cummins' technology architecture and planning director, emphasized the company's commitment to aiding the maritime sector in achieving its greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 50% by 2050, as mandated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). He highlighted the need for a clear roadmap for shipbuilders in their decarbonization efforts.

Cummins executive director of strategy, product planning, and digital, Molly Puga, underscored the practicality of converting existing fleet engines to use low- and zero-carbon fuels. She pointed out that simple engine retrofit technology eliminates the need for a major vessel overhaul and has an immediate positive effect on carbon emissions reduction under all environmental and operating conditions. This is likely to play a significant role in helping the maritime sector meet global climate needs.

Upon completion in Q2 2025, the ZEVI project aims to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from offshore operations of the vessel. Furthermore, the levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter will be significantly lower than those produced by conventional marine fuel. Additionally, all retrofitted dual-fuel engines will comply with IMO Tier III emissions standards.

Earlier this year, HVO, a renewable diesel, was approved for use in all Cummins high-horsepower engines, including QSK60. Recognized as a crucial drop-in fuel, renewable diesel can result in up to a 90% reduction in GHG emissions. This approval signifies a milestone in Cummins' commitment to sustainability and marks a major step forward in the industry-wide shift towards cleaner, more sustainable fuels.