In the heart of Estonia, a maritime innovation has just stolen the show, and it’s not just any innovation—it’s a game-changer. SRC Group’s Methanol Superstorage solution has snagged The Royal Institution of Naval Architects Maritime Innovation Award 2025, a nod to its pivotal role in pushing methanol as a go-to marine fuel. This isn’t just about winning an award; it’s about steering the maritime industry towards a greener future, and it’s high time we dive into what this means.
Every year, the RINA judges sift through a mountain of initiatives from both academia and industry, and this year, they’ve crowned SRC Group’s Methanol Superstorage as the cream of the crop. Why? Because it’s a significant step forward in advancing maritime vessel design, construction, and operations. And let’s not forget, it’s all in line with the International Maritime Organization’s targets to slash greenhouse gas emissions and hit Net Zero by or around 2050. A ship fuelled by green methanol could cut carbon emissions by up to 95%. That’s not just a win; it’s a knockout punch to the industry’s carbon footprint.
But here’s the rub: methanol has significantly lower volumetric energy content than Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). Shipowners have a choice: bunker more frequently or pack in around 2.5 times the fuel storage capacity to keep up. That’s where Methanol Superstorage comes in, offering a unique, space-efficient solution that lets both existing ships and newbuilds join the energy transition party.
Traditionally, tanks for low flash-point fuels on ships have internal and external walls separated by cofferdams spanning a minimum of 600mm. Methanol Superstorage flips the script with Sandwich Plate System (SPS) technology. Think of it as a tank sandwich: 25mm thick walls with internal and external steel surfaces connected by an elastomer core. It’s already got the thumbs up from Lloyd’s Register and RINA, boosting tank capacity by around 85% with minimal impact on the General Arrangement (GA).
Hannes Lilp, CEO and Chair of SRC Group, was beaming at RINA’s Annual Dinner in London. “The SRC team is truly honoured to accept RINA’s Maritime Innovation Award,” he said, his voice echoing in the grand De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms. He went on to highlight the significance of the award, given SRC’s focus on complex ship project work. “It is especially rewarding to be recognised for the engineering innovation that has gone into developing Methanol Superstorage.”
Now, let’s talk numbers. DNV’s latest Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) figures show that in April 2025, ships using methanol accounted for 24 of the 49 orders placed for alternative fuel solutions. That’s nearly half! And it’s not just talk; 60 methanol-fuelled ships are already in operation, with another 340 on order. SRC has already done the homework, studying the use of Methanol Superstorage on cruise ships, container ships, ferries, tugs, offshore support vessels, and yachts.
So, what’s next? This news is a wake-up call, a challenge to the status quo. It’s a clear sign that the maritime industry is ready to embrace methanol as a mainstream fuel. But it’s not just about adopting new technology; it’s about rethinking how we design, build, and operate ships. It’s about pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and sparking debate. And that’s exactly what SRC Group’s Methanol Superstorage is doing. It’s not just an innovation; it’s a revolution. So, buckle up, maritime industry. The future is here, and it’s fuelled by methanol.