Finland-based company Auramarine has signed an agreement with Astilleros Gondán to supply a full set of methanol fuel supply systems for two new hydrographic research vessels, ‘Wega’ and ‘Deneb’.
Gondán Shipbuilders is building the vessels in Spain for Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH), the federal agency responsible for maritime safety and nautical cartography in Germany. Auramarine is scheduled to deliver the systems between November 2027 and February 2029.
The vessels are part of the German government’s programme to modernise its research fleet and secure continuous operations in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Designed in conjunction with Seaplace Engineering, each vessel will be around 70m long with a 15m beam. Propulsion is designed to run on green methanol. The vessels will be certified with the Blue Angel environmental label and meet Silent-R requirements for low underwater noise. Research operations in harsh marine environments depend on reliable onboard systems, and stable fuel supply is considered critical for keeping the vessels at sea.
Auramarine’s complete methanol fuel supply system is designed to ensure the safe bunkering, transfer, handling, and supply of methanol onboard a vessel. The scope includes integrated control and monitoring systems and an emergency shutdown system to ensure safe and reliable operation. Auramarine will design each system to meet the specific requirements of the vessel and its engine configuration. The delivery covers testing, sea trials and commissioning. The systems will enable BSH to operate the vessels on green methanol, supporting lower emissions during research operations. Auramarine will provide methanol system training for the crew, ensuring safe use from the first day of operation.
John Bergman, CEO, Auramarine, said: “Methanol has established its place in the marine fuel portfolio, and a growing number of vessel types are now being designed to run on it. Wega and Deneb are good examples of this. We are pleased to be part of this demanding project, where our systems will operate in a challenging marine research environment.”
Iván Artime, Factory Director, Gondan, added: “The construction of Wega and Deneb is a particularly exciting challenge, bringing together innovative design, advanced technology and ambitious sustainability goals. At Gondan, we are fully committed to ensuring the successful delivery of these vessels through rigorous planning, close coordination with our partners and constant attention to detail throughout the entire build process. We are proud to be part of a project that will contribute to the future of environmentally responsible maritime research.”
Image: Two hydrographic research vessels built at Gondan will be fitted with Auramarine methanol fuel supply systems (source: Auramarine)
