The world's first methanol duel-fuel container ship was completed in Nantong of east China's Jiangsu Province on Friday, marking a major milestone in green shipbuilding for ultra-large vessels.
The "OOCL Wisdom," named after its future operator Orient Overseas Container Line, stretches nearly 400 meters in length and over 60 meters in width. It can hold up to 24,168 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) standard containers, with a deadweight of 225,000 tonnes.
Wang Zhigang, a research and development designer at COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry's Nantong shipyard, explained the vessel’s cutting-edge capabilities and how it is well equipped to traverse the globe.
"It uses the world's largest methanol dual-fuel supply system, equipped with an ultra-large methanol fuel tank with a capacity of 14,300 cubic meters. This gives the ship a cruising range of 15,000 nautical miles, enough to complete a single voyage from Asia to the far reaches of Europe," Wang said.
Insiders noted that the "OOCL Wisdom's" core breakthrough lies in its world-leading dual-fuel power system, which can flexibly switch between methanol and conventional fuel to meet the urgent demand for de-carbonization in the global shipping industry.
"Once switched to methanol mode, sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions drop sharply, nearly to zero. Nitrogen oxide emissions are slashed by 30 to 50 percent, and carbon dioxide emissions are cut by 150,000 tonnes per vessel per year," said Li Yong, deputy general manager of the Nantong shipyard.
Following its completion and naming ceremony, the vessel will now enter sea trials, with its official delivery scheduled for June.
World's largest methanol dual-fuel container ship completed in breakthrough for green shipbuilding
