Once considered future fuels, options like LNG, methanol and ammonia are quickly becoming current fuels for the maritime industry. However, as alternative fuel-enabled ships start hitting the water, challenges remain for both availability and risk assessment.

On this episode of Setting Course, an ABS Podcast, Dinesh Balraj, Maersk Head of Fleet Operations East, and Shu Yong Koh, ABS Director of Global Sustainability, explore some of the biggest challenges of methanol as a marine fuel with host Brad Cox, ABS.

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Key Points

• Maersk is using methanol as a pioneer fuel to achieve carbon neutrality and meet their ambitious sustainability goals.
• Methanol offers speed, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, making it a viable option for reducing emissions.
• The complete methanol value chain is still developing, with challenges in sourcing and infrastructure.
• ABS has published a bunkering advisory to support the safe handling of methanol.
• Methanol is expected to play a key role in the future fuel mix, but a diverse range of green fuels is also anticipated.

Guests
Dinesh Balraj is the Head of Fleet Operations East at A.P. Moller-Maersk. Dinesh oversees the technical management of a fleet comprising 185 container vessels. In this role, Dinesh champions safety, reliability and energy efficiency, leveraging his diverse background spanning Chief Engineer, Classification Surveyor, Fleet Superintendent, and Fleet Manager positions. As a key member of the Fleet Management and Technology leadership team, Dinesh spearheads strategic initiatives aimed at driving cultural transformation, decarbonization efforts, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

Shu Yong Koh serves as ABS Director of Global Sustainability, responsible for driving the ABS sustainability strategy and assisting ship owners and operators with achieving their sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals through industry-leading support and digital solutions. He has been involved in various sustainability initiatives and is actively pursuing the challenges of the maritime and shipping industry. He is working on energy, emissions and innovative technologies associated with alternative fuels, taking into account technical, environmental, regulatory and economic factors.