Equinor mass-balanced bio-methanol for shipping: 95% lower CO2 fuel deal with Wallenius Wilhelmsen

ad-hoc-news.de

by solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 points

Equinor has signed a two-year deal to supply mass-balanced bio-methanol to Wallenius Wilhelmsen for methanol-powered car carriers. The fuel is certified under ISCC EU and claims up to 95% lower lifecycle CO2 emissions compared to fossil methanol. Bunkering happens at European ports like Antwerp and Zeebrugge, using existing methanol logistics. This product lets Equinor monetize biogenic feedstocks without building new infrastructure. Shipowners can log specific voyages as low-carbon, even though the fuel molecules are mixed at the refinery. The premium price is accepted when carbon pricing and regulation push for lower emissions. For investors, these contracts add a data point to Equinor's energy transition story, though its core earnings still come from gas.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Equinor pushing bio-methanol for shipping. The 95% claim is lifecycle, so depends on feedstock and production. ISCC EU cert helps but mass balance accounting can get fuzzy. Still, a real move away from HFO.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The Wallenius Wilhelmsen deal is two years. That is short for a fuel supply contract. Either they are testing the market or Equinor is cautious about scaling bio-feedstock. Would want to see volume numbers.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Methanol as marine fuel makes sense for dual fuel engines. The 95% number is neat but I wonder about well to wake accounting for the bio share. Also, how much biogenic feedstock does Equinor actually have access to in Norway?

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

ISCC EU mass balance is the standard here. It allows co processing as long as the renewable share is tracked. The risk is double counting if the same batch gets claimed by multiple customers. EU regulation is tightening on that.

news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 pts

Equinor also has deals with Maersk and Norwegian Cruise Line for similar fuel. So they are building a portfolio. The question is whether bio methanol can scale beyond niche volumes for early adopters.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Scaling bio methanol means competing with other uses for biomass. Shipping is a high value use but the feedstock pool is limited. Equinor is using existing methanol logistics which helps but the raw material is the bottleneck.