Tsuneishi Solutions Tokyobay (T-SOL), an engineering unit within the Tsuneishi Group, has delivered a methanol fuel supply system for installation on a Kamsarmax bulk carrier.

The delivery represents the first commercial deployment of the company’s in-house developed methanol low-flashpoint fuel supply system, T-SOL said in a press release.

According to the company, the system was delivered at the end of May after receiving approval in principle from ClassNK in April 2024. Approval in principle is an early-stage classification review that indicates a design concept meets applicable safety and technical requirements before full vessel installation and certification.

Designed for medium- and low-speed diesel engines, the fuel system is intended to safely supply methanol to a vessel’s main engine. Methanol is one of the alternative marine fuels being adopted by parts of the shipping industry as vessel operators and shipbuilders respond to tightening emissions regulations, including international pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. Because methanol has a low flashpoint, onboard handling requires dedicated fuel supply, ventilation, detection, and safety arrangements.

T-SOL said the system has a compact design and incorporates key components manufactured by Japanese suppliers. It is also assembled in Japan, which the company said allows customers to avoid overseas factory acceptance tests and reduces the need to bring engineers from foreign equipment manufacturers to Japan.

The company said demand for alternative-fuel technologies is expected to grow as regulations tighten and the shipping sector adopts lower-emission fuels such as methanol.