Mitsubishi and Storm-Group ink deal for development of dual-fuel retrofit engine kit

Mitsubishi Turbocharger and Engine Europe (MTEE) and Storm-Group have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on the development of a dual-fuel methanol/diesel retrofit kit for Mitsubishi marine engines, suitable for installation on board inland shipping vessels.

During the development project, both MTEE and Storm-Group will work with several companies – including August Storm, Scandiesel, Emigreen and Hybrid Ship Propulsion – to deliver the new technology. The retrofit kit produced by the partnership will be marketed by the Koedood Marine Group.

“Like all industries, commercial marine contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for about 3% of global CO₂ emissions,” said Timo Schlotzhauer, managing director at August Storm. “The combustion engine itself is not the problem but [rather] the use of fossil fuels, and we need to change this way of operation.

“Methanol promises highly reduced emissions due to the fact that once it is burned in an engine it only releases the CO₂ it captures in its production and releases no sulfuric oxide (SO_X) and much lower levels of soot and nitrogen oxide (NO_X),” he continued. “Thus, methanol is a fuel that promises reduced emissions when used in a combustion engine.”

Additionally, MTEE has committed to Mission Net Zero.

“We have established the energy transition initiative, which seeks to decarbonize the engine industry, especially in the marine market,” added Morten Brix, general manager of MTEE’s engine division.

Both project partners view the decarbonization of the inland waterway transportation sector as a vital contribution toward reducing global emissions. Working toward this goal, MTEE states that it will continue to develop new hydrogen and methanol technologies.

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