Port of Antwerp-Bruges has unveiled a groundbreaking innovation: the Methatug, the world’s first tugboat powered by methanol. This introduction marks a significant milestone in the port’s greening program for its fleet and signifies a crucial step towards achieving a climate-neutral harbor by 2050. Funded by the European research program Horizon 2020, the project is part of the FASTWATER initiative, aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of methanol as a sustainable fuel for maritime transport.
First Methanol-Powered Tugboat
Methanol, hailed as one of the future’s key fuels, offers reduced emissions, aligning with Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Today, the Methatug, the world’s first methanol-powered tugboat, was inaugurated in the port of Antwerp. Methanol, derived from renewable sources, is a clean fuel applicable to both newbuild ships and retrofits due to its liquid state under ambient conditions. The Methatug’s engine has been converted into a dual-fuel system, capable of running on a blend of methanol and conventional fuel. With a length of 30 meters, the tugboat boasts a 50-ton pulling capacity and can store 12,000 liters of methanol, sufficient for two weeks of towing operations.
FASTWATER Project
The Methatug is part of the European FASTWATER project, financed by the Horizon 2020 program, which seeks to demonstrate methanol’s viability as a sustainable maritime fuel. The initiative involves various partners, including the Swedish ship design firm ScandiNAOS, Belgian engine manufacturer Anglo Belgian Corporation, German company Heinzmann responsible for methanol injectors, the University of Ghent for emission monitoring, and Canadian methanol supplier Methanex for test trials. The FASTWATER project also encompasses the conversion of a pilot boat in Sweden, a river cruise ship in Germany, and a coast guard vessel in Greece to methanol propulsion. Methanol bunkering for the Methatug will be facilitated by De Wit Bunkering through truck-to-ship bunkering at the Nautical Operational Cluster (NOC) of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Green Fleet and Multi-Fuel Port
This pioneering achievement aligns with Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ comprehensive greening program for its fleet, integrating the most environmentally friendly technologies available. Previously, the Hydrotug 1, the first hydrogen-powered tugboat, and energy-efficient RSD tugboats were added to the fleet. Later this year, an electric-powered tugboat, a European first, will join the lineup. As the fifth-largest bunker port globally, Port of Antwerp-Bruges aspires to become a fully-fledged multi-fuel port, offering conventional and alternative low-carbon fuels such as methanol, hydrogen, or electricity for both maritime and inland vessels. In early April, the port achieved a significant milestone by conducting its first methanol bunkering with the deep-sea vessel Ane Maersk in Antwerp.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, expressed, “Together with our partners, we pioneer innovative technologies for the transition to alternative and renewable energy sources. The Methatug represents a crucial step in our efforts to green our fleet and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.”
Annick De Ridder, Port Alderman of the City of Antwerp and Chair of the Board of Directors of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, added, “As a world port, we score numerous world firsts. Similar to the Hydrotug, the world’s first hydrogen-powered tugboat, the Methatug underscores our pioneering role in the energy transition.”
Prof. Sebastian Verhelst, FASTWATER project coordinator, highlighted methanol’s potential as the fuel of the future and its pivotal role in greening maritime transport.
