In China, on August 26 in Letianxi Town, Yichang Jinhai Transport launched China’s first cargo ship powered by methanol-generated electricity. Built for hauling phosphate ore along the Three Gorges corridor, the 99‑meter vessel pairs methanol fueled generators with lithium batteries.
The ship is one of two demonstrators in an eight‑vessel program led by Huashun Shipbuilding and supported by Three Gorges Energy. The project aims to modernize inland shipping while cutting emissions and operating costs.
Methanol fuel, said technical director Zhu Dejun, “reduces nitrogen oxides, nearly eliminates particulates, produces no sulfur oxides, and runs with less noise.” Each ship is expected to avoid 4,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over its lifetime.
Yichang Jinhai Transport, the company leasing the vessels, expects to save more than 30 percent on fuel compared with traditional diesel carriers.
The first two ships will complete trials and certification before entering service after China’s National Day, October 1, carrying phosphate ore between Xingshan and Yidu.
“This takes us from clean to ultraclean,” said Xu Jianlin, chairman of Huashun. “It tackles air pollution and greenhouse gases at once and shows a path forward for zero‑carbon shipping.”
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Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
