Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Green Marine, a Danish consulting service provider that specialises in methanol as marine fuel, have joined forces to offer value-adding solutions to maritime stakeholders that aim to build or retrofit and operate vessels with methanol-as-fuel technology, with a prime focus on training.

Methanol, known for its lower carbon intensity and potential for renewable production, presents a promising pathway to propel the maritime industry towards a more sustainable future. As a new fuel in shipping, there is still limited operational experience of methanol as a marine fuel and its use presents challenges for seafarers and their upskilling, alongside shoreside competencies which are required in order to ensure safety and efficient use.

Green Marine has developed experienced-based training delivered by ex-captains and chief engineers with over 100,000 hours of onboard operational experience in methanol dual-fuelled ships. This, coupled with LR’s expertise around rules, risk assessment and risk management, as well as human factors, provides an end-to-end support that is expected to create significant value in practice.

Andy McKeran, Chief Commercial Officer, Lloyd’s Register said: “This partnership reflects LR and Green Marine’s shared commitment to advancing sustainable solutions in the maritime sector. By leveraging our technical expertise and working collaboratively with Green Marine, we aim to accelerate the adoption of methanol as a viable and environmentally friendly fuel source, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for the maritime industry.”

Nikos Kakalis, Global Bulk Carriers Segment Director, Lloyd’s Register said: “LR is delighted to initiate our partnership with Green Marine focusing on human factors for methanol as marine fuel. We firmly believe that crew and shore personnel are a immensely important part of sustainable shipping, both now and in the future.”

Morten Jacobsen, CEO Green Marine, said: "Green Marine’s gold-standard methanol training curriculum was created based on practical knowledge gathered over a decade of experience working with methanol dual fuel vessels. Our certified trainers are captains and chief engineers with first-hand knowledge of working with methanol as marine fuel and the safe handling of the same. The Green Marine methanol training curriculum is supplementing baseline regulatory training requirements with experience-based learnings. We provide practical knowledge to support crews in adopting methanol dual fuel technology and the safe handling of methanol.

"Our partnership with Lloyds Register on methanol marine fuel training aligns perfectly with the evolving demands and regulations of the maritime industry.