China’s first methanol-powered inland ships under construction

In China, Xinde Marine News reports construction began on China’s first methanol-powered inland ships, which will be deployed on the Xijiang River in Guangdong’s Zhaoqing City for waterway transport. A total of 50 ships are planned under the project, which aims to advance clean energy adoption in inland shipping. CIMC Enric subsidiary Blue Water Development is supplying the methanol fuel systems.

Officials from the Zhaoqing Transport Bureau, China Classification Society, and shipbuilder Zhaoqing Haifa Shipping attended the launch ceremony, highlighting the importance of methanol as a low-emission alternative for inland vessels. The Xijiang River, a major waterway in Guangdong, is a critical transport route, and its transition to cleaner fuels aligns with broader national efforts to decarbonize inland shipping.

The project follows a new subsidy policy introduced in August 2024 by China’s Transport Ministry, which covers up to 80% of the cost of retrofitting or building new clean-energy ships, significantly boosting shipowner interest.

CIMC Enric stated that its methanol fuel system, certified by CCS, features a dual-sided independent fuel supply, ensuring operational redundancy and stable fuel flow. It also integrates Fuel Vapor Treatment technology to improve energy efficiency.

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