Cummins is laying the groundwork for methanol as a viable marine fuel, focusing on readiness and long-term strategy as the maritime industry shifts towards decarbonisation. While diesel remains central to its operations, the company is actively investing in alternative fuels, with methanol emerging as a key area of exploration.
“We believe that right now for our high-speed engine, methanol dual fuel can make sense,” said Eddie Brown, high horsepower marine product management director at Cummins. “Our journey is starting in a place where we’re focusing on methanol readiness – developing our products to be ready to run on methanol dual fuel, so diesel or methanol together.”
This effort includes gaining class society approval, with Brown confirming, “we’ve got an approval in principle from the DNV for one of our engines – the QSK60 – to be methanol-ready.” While this does not yet signal market-ready capability, it is a significant milestone in the company’s roadmap.
Cummins is also drawing on its experience in other sectors to inform its marine fuel strategy. “If you start to look at the on-highway market, we have what we call fuel agnostic engines ,” said Brown. “So [we] have a lot of experience in alternative fuels – whether it’s natural gas, hydrogen, or others.”
Brown acknowledged the challenges methanol faces in maritime, including cost and limited availability of green methanol. “There’s availability of grey methanol today. But again, I think with the price and the savings that you’re getting on the carbon side, not as significant today. So I don’t think customers are moving.”
Even so, the company is making measured steps to position itself for eventual adoption. “We’re trying to develop a product, not only that works – we know dual fuel methanol is something that can work,” said Brown. He explained that Cummins is exploring pilot programmes and partnerships that could lead to product development and potential commercialisation.
Regulatory clarity will be critical, he said. “That is either regulation… at a global perspective like IMO, or even regional, that drives enough demand for customers that they have clarity, and that they’re going to make those investments.”
Despite the focus on methanol, Cummins remains pragmatic. “Diesel has a long runway,” said Brown, noting the company’s ongoing work to meet and exceed IMO Tier III, EPA Tier 4 and EU Stage V emissions standards. “We refer to it as bridge -meaning, how we’re bridging the gap between our current offerings to future carbon-neutral technologies… We believe [carbon neutrality] is going to happen… and we have some opportunities there.”
That includes investments in clean energy technologies through Accelera by Cummins, the group’s innovation unit working on hydrogen and methanol production through electrolyser technology.
With its current focus on methanol dual fuel readiness and strategic planning for the next decade, Cummins is positioning itself to support marine customers through a complex transition. As Brown noted, “This is a journey that has to start.”
To learn more about the progress of future fuels, click here for the running order of this year’s Propulsion and Future Fuels.
