COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Yangzhou) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China COSCO SHIPPING Corporation Limited (COSCO SHIPPING Group), delivered China’s first domestically built 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship, COSCO SHIPPING YANGPU, on June 20 at Changxing Island, Shanghai.
China’s first domestically built 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship, COSCO SHIPPING YANGPU, was delivered on June 20 at Changxing Island, Shanghai. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
This delivery marks three historic milestones: the first methanol dual-fuel container ship ordered by a Chinese shipowner, the first of its kind built and delivered by a Chinese shipyard, and the first application of a domestically produced methanol main engine in an actual vessel. These breakthroughs position China at the forefront of global green shipping innovation, offering a “China solution” to the maritime industry’s low-carbon transition.
Measuring 366 meters long and 51 meters wide, the vessel boasts a maximum capacity of 16,136 TEUs. It is equipped with an 11,000-cubic-meter ultra-large methanol storage tank, sufficient for a one-way voyage from the Far East to the East Coast of the United States without refueling.
Notably, the vessel is powered by China’s first domestically developed methanol dual-fuel main engine, a dual-fuel marine boiler and China’s first methanol generator set ever applied to a container ship. Its dual-fuel system enables seamless fuel switching based on route needs, ensuring operational flexibility and world-class stability.
The ship sets several industry benchmarks for green and low-carbon performance. Its energy efficiency indicators in both fuel and methanol modes rank among the best globally, and it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 120,000 tonnes per year — equivalent to planting 6.7 million trees.
For safe methanol usage, the ship adopts several innovative safety technologies, including a specially designed methanol storage tank layout and a freshwater purging system, forming a comprehensive safety assurance mechanism.
The vessel also stands out in smart shipping. Its streamlined hull design, high-efficiency propeller, and fully suspended twisted rudder significantly reduce water resistance and improve fuel efficiency. The ship is equipped with the world’s highest-capacity permanent magnet shaft generator, which improves the engine room environment and reduces maintenance costs. A smart central control system collects and analyzes real-time data to optimize routing, monitor equipment health, and provide early warnings on hull structure safety, greatly enhancing overall operational efficiency.
The COSCO SHIPPING YANGPU exemplifies China’s capabilities in high-end shipbuilding and offers a practical model for the global shipping industry’s transition toward sustainability and smart operations.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
