The COSCO SHIPPING YANGPU, heralded as China’s first domestically built methanol dual-fuel containership, completed its maiden voyage to the Port of Yangpu in Hainan Province on July 2, 2025.
Maiden Green Methanol Bunkering
The green methanol fuel for the bunkering operation was supplied by Sinopec COSCO Fuel Supply, highlighting a coordinated effort within China to establish a robust supply chain for sustainable marine fuels. The bunkering took place on July 2, 2025, with the vessel receiving 200 metric tonnes of green methanol, which was domestically produced from urban waste. This operation signifies the official launch of China’s first end-to-end green methanol fuel application project across the entire industry chain, covering production, transportation, refueling, and certification.
COSCO SHIPPING Lines emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, “This move not only further strengthened the Yangpu route network and accelerated the construction of ‘two-way dual hub ports’, but also opened a new chapter for COSCO SHIPPING Lines in the coordinated development of domestic dual-fuel ships and green fuels, injecting strong momentum into the low-carbon transformation of China’s shipping industry.”
Vessel Specifications and Capabilities
The COSCO SHIPPING YANGPU was officially delivered by COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry Yangzhou on Changxing Island, Shanghai, on June 20, 2025. This vessel is the first methanol dual-fuel container ship to be operated by a Chinese shipowner and is equipped with China’s first domestically developed methanol engine.
Key specifications of the vessel include:
- Overall length: 366 meters
- Width: 51 meters
- Container capacity: 16,136 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)
- Methanol storage: Equipped with an 11,000 cubic meter ultra-large methanol storage tank. This substantial capacity enables the vessel to complete a one-way voyage from the Far East to the U.S. East Coast without needing to refuel. This is crucial given that methanol has a lower energy density compared to conventional marine fuels, requiring approximately 2.4 times more volume for the same energy output.
The COSCO SHIPPING YANGPU also boasts other significant green and intelligent features. Its Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) has achieved Phase III standards, making it 54.4% lower than the baseline set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). When operating on green methanol, the ship is projected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 120,000 tons per year, an environmental benefit equivalent to planting 6.7 million trees.
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Source: Offshore Energy
