Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded a new, space-efficient retrofit methanol storage solution from SRC Group Approval in Principle (AiP). The solution limits the space penalties associated with retrofitting existing vessels’ fuel tanks for operation on methanol by avoiding the requirement for cofferdams.

The AiP from LR signifes that no major conceptual issues have been identified as standing in the way of its securing classification approval and regulatory compliance.

The solution, Methanol Superstorage, is a potential solution to issues relating to methanol storage on board vessels. In particular, the lower energy density of methanol compared with conventional fuels, such as HSFO, impacts operational range. This requirement for increased fuel storage capacity is particularly acute in retrofits, because low flashpoint fuel tanks conventionally require cofferdams.