MCA customer process for alternative fuels - methanol
An overview of the advantages, challenges, regulations and guidance associated with using methanol as fuel.
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Details
Methyl Alcohol (Methanol - CH3OH) is a light, volatile, colourless, and flammable liquid alcohol. Due to the chemical composition of the fuel, CH3OH is considered a low-carbon fuel with only a single carbon molecule. It does have toxicity and
flammability issues which require special handling for storage and transport. The fuel has been used in industrial sectors and is transported in the maritime field as a cargo.
For vessels above 500GT, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) currently regulates vessels carrying methanol as cargo under the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code). The MCA also works with operators and Classification Societies to regulate vessels using methanol as a marine fuel, under the IMO’s interim guidelines as published as part of the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code). These are applicable through the use of the alternative design arrangement. For smaller vessels using methanol as fuel, no prescriptive regulations currently exist and are considered on a case-by-case basis, guided by experts from MCA’s Technical Operations, Regulation and Standards and Seafarer Technical Delivery teams.
Key contacts
Any existing customers wishing to build or convert a vessel to operate using methanol as fuel are encouraged, in the first instance, to contact their MCA Customer Service Manager who will be able to advise further on the process and where necessary set up a meeting with MCA subject matter leads to discuss the proposals in detail.
New customers or those without a Customer Service Manager should contact: HQSurvey@mcga.gov.uk
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