By
Laura Hyde |
SRC Group’s methanol superstorage system has received Type Approval from Italian consultancy RINA. The superstorage system will enable shipowners and operators to use methanol and ethanol as green marine fuels, both of which require approximately two times more storage volume than heavy fuel oil.
Traditional fuel storage tanks are built with a gap, called a cofferdam, between two layers of steel, which protects the tank from fire, damage, and leaks. These cofferdam tanks typically require a minimum 600-millimetre gap, which takes up valuable space onboard.
The SRC Group methanol superstorage solves this space issue by using SPS Technology’s sandwich plate system (SPS). This uses a 25-millimetre solid elastomer core placed between two steel plates, which absorbs energy, helps spread loads, and acts as a seal. It also creates an oxygen-free atmosphere between the plates to prevent hidden corrosion removing the need for regular manual inspections required in traditional designs. It also helps prevent damage from pressure or impact while maintaining the same safety standards as traditional cofferdams.
The design also removes the need for internal inspections, therefore improving safety for workers, reducing risks such as lack of oxygen, exposure to toxic gases, falls or getting trapped.
The approval from RINA certifies that the system meets its standards for safety, performance, reliability and compliance.
“SRC Group’s methanol superstorage is a practical, space-efficient solution with the potential to accelerate the adoption of green methanol as a marine fuel, delivering increased storage capacity of conventional tank designs while maintaining equivalent safety,” said Pino Spadafora, marine market development vice president at RINA.
Methanol superstorage has also obtained Approval in Principle status from Lloyd’s Register and ClassNK, as well as from the Panama Maritime Authority.
“Obtaining Type Approval from RINA is great news, and an important step forward in building industry-wide confidence in methanol superstorage,” said Alex Vainokivi, innovation manager at SRC Group. “It provides ship owners with clear validation as they evaluate methanol as a long-term clean fuel that can support their decarbonisation targets, covering a wide range of vessel types.”