X-Press Feeders subsidiary’s dual-fuel container vessels will use Alfa Laval’s methanol fuel conditioning module (FCM) systems
Alfa Laval will provide the methanol low-flashpoint fuel supply systems (LFSS) for six 1,170-TEU container vessels ordered by Eastaway, a member of the X-Press Feeders Group.
The new vessel series, to be built at Chinese shipyards Ningbo Xinle Shipbuilding Group and New Dayang Shipbuilding, will have two-stroke MAN B&W ME-LGIM engines that can run on methanol as well as conventional fuels. The FCM methanol system deliveries will begin June 2023, and the system was chosen for performance and design flexibility, according to Alfa Laval.
“With mature technologies and reliable automation, the FCM methanol safely supplies methanol within the flow rate, pressure, temperature, and filtration parameters specified by the engine maker. Because it can be adapted to any engine and vessel design, it enables turnkey LFSS deliveries for easy installation. Since 2015, the system has been chosen in nearly 20 methanol projects for more than 10 large shipping companies,” a statement from Alfa Laval said.
Given the complexity and scope in this project, the shipyards building the vessels have hired engineering companies to procure and integrate the methanol-related components, according to Alfa Laval.
“With their ability to sail on green methanol, these vessels will be front-runners in the move to carbon-neutral operations. Methanol is a major advance on the path to decarbonisation, and the FCM methanol can be instrumental for shipowners in making the leap,” Alfa Laval Marine Separation & Heat Transfer Equipment president Peter Nielsen said.
Eastaway has recently made a formal commitment to a long-term strategy of improved sustainability in operations. The strategy, which is in line with IMO 2030, focuses on lowering emissions through long-term fleet rejuvenation and the purchase of lower-emissions newbuild vessels, according to the company.
In addition to the six-newbuild vessel order agreed in 2022, in 2021, Eastaway signed a deal to build five 3,100-TEU container vessels with Zhoushan Changhong Shipyard and eight 7,000-TEU newbuilds with Shanghai Waigaogqiao Shipyard. With the new vessels, Eastaway is aiming to reduce its fleet fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 30-40%. The company is also aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 across a fleet that currently numbers more than 50 vessels under its management.
In May 2022, Eastaway contracted Wärtsilä to provide shaft power limitation technology for six container ships in Eastaway Ship Management’s fleet. And in June 2022, Eastaway contracted Value Maritime to add carbon capture and storage on board two container vessels.
“A greener future for shipping can no longer only be discussed, it must be put into action. Eastaway’s long-term fleet renewal, through the purchase of newbuilds and adjustments to our current fleet, re-iterates our commitment to the IMO 2030 goals,” Eastaway managing director Captain R S Minhas said.
