Finnish technology company Auramarine has been awarded a contract to supply methanol fuel supply systems for six new Ro-Pax vessels commissioned by Italy’s Grimaldi Group, according to Ship & Bunker.
The newbuilds are under construction at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China, and are intended to serve Mediterranean routes under both the Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines brands.
What Auramarine Will Deliver
As reported by Ship & Bunker, Auramarine will provide complete methanol fuel supply systems across all six vessels. The scope of work includes:
- Control and emergency shutdown automation systems
- Conventional fuel supply units, allowing the dual-fuel engines to operate on traditional marine fuels when required
This dual-fuel capability means the ships will retain operational flexibility during the transition period as methanol bunkering infrastructure continues to develop across the region.
Delivery Timeline and Emissions Impact
The six vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2030. According to Ship & Bunker, the ships are expected to reduce CO2 emissions per cargo unit by more than 50% compared with existing vessels currently operating on the same Mediterranean routes.
John Bergman, CEO of Auramarine, was quoted in the report as stating: “These new vessels highlight how alternative fuels like methanol, supported by advanced fuel supply systems and other green technologies, can deliver substantial emissions reductions in the Mediterranean.”
Does This Matter to You?
This development is relevant to a broad segment of the maritime industry, particularly those operating in or supplying the Mediterranean market.
For vessel operators and charterers, the Grimaldi order signals continued momentum in methanol as a viable alternative fuel for short-sea and Ro-Pax operations — a segment that has historically been closely tied to conventional marine fuels.
For bunker suppliers and traders, growing demand for methanol-ready vessels in the Mediterranean highlights the need to monitor methanol bunkering infrastructure development at key regional ports. As more dual-fuel vessels enter service between 2028 and 2030, demand patterns at ports along these routes may shift.
For ports and terminal operators, the operation of six methanol-capable vessels under established ferry brands like Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines could accelerate conversations around methanol supply logistics in the Mediterranean.
For maritime risk and compliance teams, the dual-fuel design — capable of running on both methanol and conventional marine fuels — reflects an industry approach to managing transition risk while meeting increasingly stringent emissions requirements under frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime.
The direct operational impact on individual companies will depend on their exposure to Grimaldi-operated routes and the pace of methanol infrastructure rollout in the region.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
