Innovation Winter 2025/26

To address that question, the team has been conducting detailed simulations to understand how methanol behaves when released underwater as a gas, a condition that could influence safety and environmental performance in harbour operations. Alternatively, hydrogen offers the potential for fully zero-carbon propulsion when produced from renewable sources. It can be stored as a compressed gas or cryogenic liquid and used in fuel cells to produce electricity, emitting only water vapour. However, hydrogen presents significant technical and infrastructure challenges, including high-pressure storage, cryogenic handling, and new fueling systems. “It’s possible, but the infrastructure isn’t there yet,” Turner explained. Despite these challenges, the long-term trajectory is clear: a gradual shift toward cleaner fuels across marine operations. “Every few years, something that once seemed impossible becomes routine,” Phillips said. “Hybrids, electric – now methanol and hydrogen – will follow. It’s just a matter of when.”

operations. “When you start really pushing distances, like the escort tugs that run up and down Douglas Channel, batteries can’t cover that yet,” said Phillips. “For long-range escort work, LNG and methanol are the bridge technologies.” The firm has set its sights on designing for methanol and hydrogen, two low-emissions technologies that reduce emissions while offering range. Methanol is attractive because it is liquid at ambient temperature, making storage, handling, and refueling simpler than cryogenic fuels like LNG or hydrogen. In engines or fuel cells, methanol can be directly oxidized to generate electricity, producing lower emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter than conventional diesel. At the same time, the company faces challenges since methanol-fueled vessels can experience pressure releases from their fuel systems below the surface of the water. “There’s a lot of research out there that makes it quite clear that methanol dissolves quite well as a liquid in water,” said Phillips, “but what about when it’s a vapour?”

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Innovation Winter 2025/26

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