Damen Shipyards Group and Caterpillar Sign Memorandum of Understanding Aiming to Develop Methanol-Powered Vessels

Collaboration Between Caterpillar, Damen Shipyards Group, and Pon Power Aims to Enable Low-Carbon Operations by Developing Vessels Powered by Green Methanol

November 2022

Houston, Texas – Caterpillar and Damen Shipyards Group, an international shipbuilding company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aiming to develop methanol powered vessels that enable the decarbonization of marine operations.

“Our collaboration with Damen Shipyards Group and Pon Power brings together immeasurable expertise that allows us to learn together and innovate to address the great challenge of the energy transition. This is an exciting technical challenge to tackle, but most importantly it fosters our industry's goal to reach sustainable, low carbon operations,” commented Brad Johnson, vice president and general manager, Caterpillar Marine.

With the production of over 150 vessels annually, Damen Shipyards Group continues to offer customers onsite and remote services, expertise, and now an opportunity to support their climate related goals. Under the MOU, Damen Shipyards will collaborate with a team of experts from Caterpillar and the Cat® Dealer, Pon Power, to learn how to adopt methanol as a fuel in marine applications, including aspects related to bunkering, storage, management, and conversion to provide the power required by a vessel. Caterpillar would develop and provide the methanol power train to be integrated into a Damen designed and built methanol capable vessel.

Joost Mathôt, Director of Products at Damen’s Workboats division, said, ”We’re delighted to be working with Caterpillar on this ground-breaking project. It is of mutual benefit to all the parties involved to begin operating the pilot engines as soon as possible, so that we can experience what it means to use methanol as a fuel in a maritime environment. We are very happy to be continuing our longstanding relationship and are very confident that together we will be able to offer our end customers the sustainable solutions they are asking for, in the near future.”

Caterpillar recognizes customers’ needs to operate reliable vessels that minimize current and long-term environmental impacts. “Our products power many vessels working around the world. We're committed to helping our customers achieve their climate-related goals by developing expanded offerings across renewable fuels like biofuels and methanol, as well as solutions that drive efficiency in the use and conversion of energy such as integrated hybrid power trains. Our collaboration with Damen Shipyards Group and Pon Power will enable us to better understand the opportunities and challenges of decarbonizing maritime operations via green methanol,” said Johnson.

“For Damen, the introduction of methanol-fueled propulsion systems is the logical next step in our drive towards low-emission propulsion right across our product range and an integral part of our drive to become the world’s most sustainable shipbuilder,” commented Mathôt.

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From left to right Derrick York, Senior Vice President of Caterpillar Oil & Gas and Marine Division, Arnout Damen, CEO of Damen Shipyards and Kees-Jan Mes, Managing Director of Pon Power

 Damen Shipyards Group and Caterpillar Sign Memorandum of Understanding Aiming to Develop Methanol-Powered Vessels

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About Caterpillar Marine:

Caterpillar Marine, with headquarters in Houston, Texas, offers premium power solutions for a wide range of marine applications. With decades of experience designing engines and aftertreatment solutions, Caterpillar Marine products set the standard for quality, performance, and reliability. Caterpillar is dedicated to being your service provider on the water to provide engine and operational success. With Customer Value Agreements (CVAs), customers can take advantage of an extensive array of service options that can be tailored to their specific needs. Combined with our digital solutions, a CVA can provide valuable insights to engine health and performance. The global sales and service network is ready to support customers in tug, offshore, inland waterways, fishing, governmental, dredge, ferry, and yachting wherever they are.

More information is available at: www.cat.com/marine


About Caterpillar

With 2021 sales and revenues of $51.0 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed. Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing financing and related services through our Financial Products segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the conversation on our social media channels.

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