Archipelago Yachts and Chartwell Marine are to partner to help develop and prototype a methanol range-extension and propulsion system for electric vessels.
The seven-month project – Methanol Pathfinder UK – has been awarded funding through the UK Government’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (Round 6), delivered by Innovate UK as part of the UK SHORE programme.
The project will build on earlier Innovate UK-supported work, and will focus on developing a scalable, commercially viable system that the partners believe will have the potential to eliminate combustion engines.
Their approach will work on converting methanol into low-pressure hydrogen to generate power onboard.
Methanol offers a clean, flexible, and scalable pathway to decarbonising maritime operations.
Dr Stephen Weatherley
“This Innovate UK funding marks an exciting next step in our mission to bring real-world, zero-emission solutions to the water,” said Dr Stephen Weatherley, CEO of Archipelago Yachts.
“Methanol offers a clean, flexible, and scalable pathway to decarbonising maritime operations.
“By focusing on range extension for electric vessels, we’re accelerating technology that can be adopted broadly across both commercial and leisure markets.”
The Methanol Pathfinder UK project is supported by a range of subcontractors including Blue Deep International, E1 Marine, and Auriga Energy.
Data and insights
Collectively, the group combines experiences in vessel design, propulsion integration, and clean energy systems.
The consortium will prototype and test a modular methanol-to-hydrogen range-extension system, designed to integrate seamlessly with electric propulsion platforms.
The project will also contribute data and insights to UK regulators and industry partners, helping shape emerging standards for methanol use in maritime applications.
“Methanol has huge potential as a clean marine fuel, but the technology and integration challenges need real-world testing,” added Andy Page, managing director of Chartwell Marine.
Practical solutions
“This project will demonstrate how UK expertise can lead the way in creating practical solutions for decarbonising offshore, commercial, and leisure vessels alike.”
Archipelago Yachts and Chartwell Marine announced they had completed the design for the world’s first zero-carbon, methanol-powered leisure vessel, the Archipelago zero.63 in 2023.
The vessel incorporated a parallel hybrid system that combined the clean energy derived from a pair of methanol reformers and hydrogen fuel cells.
