Bureau Veritas grants AiP to O.S. Energy and Chartwell Marine for methanol-fuel system concept

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to O.S. Energy and Chartwell Marine for the methanol-fuel system concept developed for their new aluminium catamaran.

The concept has been developed to integrate methanol as a marine fuel within the compact arrangement of the vessel. The proposed system incorporates methanol fuel storage, bunkering, fuel supply and distribution, together with the associated ventilation, hazardous-area and fire-safety arrangements required for the safe use of methanol onboard.

As part of the AiP assessment, BV carried out a concept-level review of the methanol-fuel arrangements against the applicable requirements of BV NR670 – Rules for the Classification of Methanol and Ethanol Fuelled Ships, together with the relevant safety principles of IMO MSC.1/Circ.1621 – Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol as Fuel.

The assessment covered the methanol system design philosophy and key arrangements associated with fuel storage and containment, fuel distribution and bunkering, ventilation and hazardous areas, and fire safety. Particular consideration was given to the integration of these arrangements for optimization of onboard operation within a compact vessel at concept-design stage.

The AiP provides an independent assessment of the proposed methanol-fuel concept against the applicable class requirements and establishes a technical basis for O.S. Energy and Chartwell Marine to progress the system into the next stages of engineering and detailed design.

O.S. Energy and Chartwell Marine’s development of the concept forms part of the WAVES2 project, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) program in the Department for Transport. UK SHORE has allocated over £230m since 2022 to develop the technologies necessary to decarbonize the UK maritime sector and capture the economic growth opportunity of the transition. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions.

Martin Nuernberg, Managing Director at O.S. Energy UK Ltd, commented: “Bureau Veritas’ Approval in Principle is a significant milestone for O.S. Energy and Chartwell Marine, supporting the technical feasibility of our methanol-fueled vessel concept. It gives us a stronger basis to progress detailed design, engage shipyards and secure further support and investment while working towards full class and statutory approval. Our ambition is to build and operate this vessel in the UK."