Caterpillar Marine, Solstad Shipping ASA and Pon Power AS Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Advance the Use of Methanol on Offshore Support Vessels

February 2024

Houston, Texas – Caterpillar Marine today announced it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Solstad Offshore ASA (Solstad) and Cat® dealer Pon Power AS to identify and evaluate solutions that will increase the fuel efficiency of Solstad’s offshore vessels and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Solstad, based in Norway, is one of the world’s leading offshore support vessel (OSV) operators and about 50% of its global fleet is powered by Cat engines. Founded in 1927, Pon Power AS is an authorized distributor of Cat power solutions located in Norway. Solstad and Pon Power AS have worked together for more than 35 years.

Caterpillar Marine is committed to helping vessel owners increase fuel efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. They offer pathways to support these operational and sustainability targets by providing a range of solutions for alternative fuels and powertrain integration.

“As part of our effort to help the maritime industry achieve a reduced-carbon future, we're committed to supporting our customers’ climate-related objectives through methanol-powered solutions,” said Brad Johnson, vice president and general manager of Caterpillar Marine. “These solutions are fuel-efficient, cost-effective and meet our fuel standards. Solstad and Pon Power AS are a perfect fit for these efforts.”

Solstad has systematically reduced emissions since 2009, both through operational measures (Solstad Green Operations) and technical upgrades. These efforts have resulted in a considerable reduction of average fuel consumption per vessel. Solstad has a net zero GHG target in 2050 and expects to reduce CO2 emissions through optimized energy efficiencies and retrofitted vessels that operate with alternative fuels such as methanol. Additionally, new ship designs must be capable of offering lower emissions from the outset, and solutions developed by Caterpillar Marine as a result of this MOU will be evaluated for Solstad’s existing fleet.

“As a vital, strategic partner with Pon Power AS for more than three decades, we are proud to deepen our collaboration,” said Tor Inge Dale, sustainability director at Solstad Offshore ASA.

Pon Power AS distributes primary and emergency power solutions to the maritime and other sectors and is engaged in activities that support maritime decarbonization. Their expertise lies in packaging Cat engine solutions to fit today’s needs and tomorrow’s requirements, utilizing emissions-reduction technologies to the fullest extent possible. In collaboration with Caterpillar, they identify customers’ alternative fuels and electrification options as well as participate in university research, professional society programs and events with vessel owners, ship designers and yards to advance more sustainable marine power solutions.