COSCO Shipping Identifies China's First Large Methanol-Powered Containership
Posted on Feb 23, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Following Maersk's footsteps, COSCO Shipping became the second line to have large-capacity methanol-fuelled containerships when it named its first methanol dual-fuel containership.
The event took place in Yangzhou, China, and marked the ninth anniversary of COSCO Shipping's evolution into the vast state-run business it is today.
COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry's Role
Chinese authorities praised the ship's accomplishments, stating that COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry has determined 163 research areas to focus on to create a sizable methanol-powered vessel. They claim to have received 31 inventive patents about the boats' methanol energy system.
Moreover, COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry in Yangzhou carried out the vessel's design to get over issues like the methanol special coating and general jacking of the upper structure. They state that a methanol filling management system and methanol system test have been built.
Alfa Laval's first methanol dual-fuel boiler, methanol dual-fuel generator, and the first domestic WinGD methanol dual-fuel main engine are all being installed on the series of ships.
Additionally, they outfitted a supply system and barge for methanol fuel. Energy-saving metrics were developed and energy usage was optimised through the installation of intelligent technologies. It has been observed that the vessels attain good ratios of energy use.
The bunkering equipment for the ship, including terminal tank trucks, was developed in collaboration with COSCO Shipping by China Martine Fuel Jiangsu Company.
With the approval of the China Classification Society processes, the shipyard refueled the new vessel for the first time on December 26.
Methanol's Significance as Marine Fuel
The first ship, COSCO Shipping Yangpu, is currently finishing up its outfitting. Furthermore, it will be the first containership to be used on a transpacific voyage that runs on methanol. It can make a one-way trip between the Far East and the U.S. West Coast in "pure methanol mode" because of its huge methanol storage system.
Maritime Professional Training courses provide information on methanol as a marine fuel, including technical specifics, environmental advantages, and current industry trends. They also evaluate studies, such as life-cycle analysis and emission comparisons.
The class's boats all have 16,136 TEU capacities, comparable to Maersk's methanol class, which was inaugurated in January 2024 with the Ane Maersk (16,000 TEU). The COSCO Shipping Yangpu is 366 meters (1,200 feet) long overall, with a beam of 51 meters (167 feet).
In April 2024, the first vessel's construction got underway. The second ship in the class, COSCO Shipping Carnation, was floated out by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry in December 2024.
In brief, following an order in 2022 for 12 methanol ships with a capacity of 24,000 TEU each for COSCO and OOCL, COSCO made another order in 2023 for four methanol-dual fuel container ships with a capacity of 16,000 TEU. According to reports, the business has 28 vessels on its methanol order book.
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