The world's largest! Methanol dual-fuel propulsion! Construction begins
Recently, the first vessel in a series of 24,000 TEU ultra-large container ships with methanol dual-fuel propulsion, custom-designed by Dalian COSCO Shipping Kawasaki Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. for COSCO Shipping Container Lines Co., Ltd., began construction, marking a new milestone for Dalian COSCO Shipping Kawasaki in the field of green shipbuilding.
The 24,000 TEU ultra-large methanol dual-fuel powered container ship from Dalian COSCO Shipping Kawasaki is equipped with an advanced methanol dual-fuel propulsion system. Compared to other green fuels, methanol offers significant advantages in terms of storage and transportation convenience, infrastructure compatibility, and carbon reduction potential over its entire lifecycle. Using green methanol as fuel can achieve near-zero carbon emissions.
To ensure the efficient implementation of this project, Dalian COSCO Shipping Kawasaki collaborated with Nantong COSCO Shipping Kawasaki and COSCO Shipping Container Lines' technical team to conduct in-depth research and development. From integrated design to engineering implementation, they overcame a series of technical challenges, including the design and manufacturing of large methanol fuel tanks, the safe integration of dual-fuel engine systems, and the optimization of fuel supply systems, thereby achieving dual improvements in environmental performance and vessel performance.
Amid the global shipbuilding industry's transition toward green environmental protection and intelligent technology, the timely commencement of construction of the first vessel marks the entry of Dalian COSCO Kawasaki's green methanol-powered ultra-large container ship project into the full-scale construction phase. This further solidifies the company's leading technical position in the field of clean energy shipbuilding and provides global shipowners with a transport capacity option that balances economic efficiency and environmental sustainability.
COSCO Shipping Holdings ordered a total of 12 24,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel powered ultra-large container ships from COSCO Shipping Kawasaki in Nantong and Dalian in 2022. Of these, five will be built by Dalian COSCO Shipping Kawasaki, with delivery scheduled between February 2027 and June 2028; the remaining seven will be built by Nantong COSCO Shipping Kawasaki, with delivery expected between the third quarter of 2026 and the third quarter of 2028.
The renewed collaboration between Dalian COSCO Shipping Kawasaki and COSCO Shipping Container Lines on the methanol dual-fuel powered ultra-large container ship series project marks another significant achievement in their deepened strategic partnership following the successful completion of the 20,000-TEU container ship series project. As a pioneer in actively promoting the green development philosophy of the “Maritime Silk Road,” Dalian COSCO Shipping Kawasaki will continue to leverage its strengths in technological innovation and lean construction, closely collaborate with shipowners to continuously improve shipbuilding quality and efficiency, adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, target new trends in the shipping industry, and create more competitive ship products for global customers. This will contribute to the green and low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry and provide wisdom and strength for the prosperous development of the global shipping industry.