Stena Line has launched the world's first methanol powered ferry, the 'Stena Germanica', which will operate on the Kiel–Gothenburg route.
In March the 'Stena Germanica' re-entered service after a couple of months' intermission and now is the world's first methanol powered ferry. Methanol is a biodegradable, environmentally friendly and cost efficient fuel that reduces the emissions of sulphur and particles by 99 per cent. The technology is called dual fuel – methanol is the main fuel, but there is the option to use MGO, marine gas oil, as backup.
The conversion of the 'Stena Germanica' was carried out in Gdansk, Poland, at the Remontova shipyard. The project has received support from the EU's Motorways of the Seas project and has had a total cost of US$24 million.