- Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) has begun sea trials of Stena Pro Patria, the first methanol-powered dual-fuel tanker constructed in the country.
- The shipyard said it is also extending the deal to build three additional ships to the same design.
- GSI’s vice president William Zhou described the start of sea trials and testing of the propulsion equipment as ‘a watershed moment’ in the development of methanol as an alternative fuel for MR tankers.
The Stena Pro Patria, the country’s first methanol-powered dual-fuel tanker, has begun sea trials at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), a Chinese shipyard as reported by Offshore Energy.
Joint venture
The first of three 49,900 dwt methanol dual-fuel MR tankers ordered by Proman Stena Bulk, a joint venture between Swedish Stena Bulk and Swiss Proman, in 2019, is the Stena Pro Patria, which will be delivered in late 2021.
Stena Pro Marine and Stena Prosperous, the other two ships, are currently under construction and are anticipated to be completed this year.
The shipyard also announced that it is extending the contract to build three more ships of the same type.
The start of sea trials and testing of the propulsion system, according to GSI vice president William Zhou, is a “watershed moment” in the development of methanol as an alternative fuel for MR tankers.
NOx emissions
Each tanker will drastically reduce NOx emissions by using about 12,500 tonnes of methanol as marine fuel each year, powered by a MAN dual-fuel 6G50ME C9.6 engine that does not require catalyst conversion, according to Zhou.
Each tanker, as previously said, employs the most advanced energy efficiency technology, such as continuously controlled combustion, optimised tuning, revised and aerodynamic hull lines, and an energy shaft generator to reduce fuel consumption.
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Source: Offshore Energy
