China Marine Bunker (PetroChina) (Chimbusco) announced that China’s first domestically built methanol dual-fuel container vessel successfully completed its maiden voyage to the U.S. West Coast, returning safely to Yangshan Port on 5 October, reports Manifold Times.
The vessel was fuelled by green methanol supplied by Chimbusco, marking a major milestone in the nation’s move toward low-carbon shipping operations. The successful voyage highlights growing momentum in the adoption of alternative marine fuels as the global maritime industry accelerates efforts to meet decarbonization goals.
Earlier in the year, Chimbusco completed two methanol bunkering operations for the vessel — 1,000 metric tonnes at Shengdong Terminal in Yangshan Port on 11 July, and an additional 500 metric tonnes at Dalian Port on 15 July — to support its transpacific journey.
According to Chimbusco, the use of green methanol reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 2,062 tonnes per voyage, equivalent to the annual emissions of approximately 1,500 cars, while achieving near-zero sulfur oxide emissions.
The methanol dual-fuel engine, developed domestically, performed efficiently during its first onboard operation. Its 11,100-cubic-meter methanol storage tank enabled the vessel to complete the transpacific route operating entirely in methanol mode.
Chimbusco has also established methanol bunkering hubs in key Chinese ports including Dalian, Shanghai, Yangzhou, Ningbo, and Zhoushan, as part of a growing methanol bunkering network extending along the Belt and Road Initiative.
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Source: Manifold Times
