VIDEO: Cargill-chartered green methanol fueled Brave Pioneer enters service

Agribusiness giant Cargill reports that Brave Pioneer, the first of five green methanol dual-fuel dry bulk vessels chartered by the company, has commenced its maiden voyage. It says that the deployment of the vessel marks another important milestone in the company’s broader decarbonization efforts /

Built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. at its Cebu, Philippines shipyard and owned by Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Brave Pioneer is equipped to operate on both conventional marine fuels and green methanol, a lower-carbon alternative. The estimated CO2 saving of using green methanol compared to conventional fuel is up to 70%.

Following its christening by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the 229 meter long KAMSARMAX ship departed the Philippines yesterday. It will bunker green methanol in Singapore, then proceed to Western Australia before sailing onward to Europe. Throughought Brave Pioneer’s maiden voyage, Cargill will conduct a series of operational trials designed evaluate methanol bunkering readiness, understand how environmental attributes can be traced and verified through carbon accounting systems, and assess market appetite for low-carbon freight services.

“Decarbonising global shipping requires a mix of technologies and the willingness to take bold steps before the entire ecosystem is ready,” said Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill’s ocean transportation business. “Technologies like green methanol or wind-assisted propulsion come with uncertainty. But as an industry leader, we have a responsibility to test these innovations on the water, share what we learn, and help shape the systems and standards that will enable wider adoption.”

Setting the stage for a new low-carbon fleet

The launch of Brave Pioneer paves the way for the four additional vessels that will join Cargill’s fleet over the coming years. Cargill says that the addition of these vessels strengthens its multi-solution decarbonization approach, which includes wind-assisted propulsion, voyage optimization technologies, energy-efficiency retrofits and exploration of alternative fuels such as biofuels and ethanol.

“We know the road to low carbon shipping will require a mix of solutions and green methanol is one part of that portfolio,” Dieleman continued. “Our new fleet is about optionality and adaptability. These vessels are engineered to perform at a best-in-class level on conventional fuel today, while allowing us to switch to greener fuels as availability improves. It’s a practical way to future-proof ocean transport.”

Cargill says that, as one of the world’s largest charterers of dry bulk freight, its actions send a strong demand signal to the market and serve as an open invitation for others in the maritime sector to join in advancing the transition to sustainable shipping.

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