In China, China Water Transport Network reports the City of Huainan has ordered the Huai River basin’s first pure methanol-powered cargo ship, a 1,800-deadweight-ton coal carrier to be built by Wuchang Shipbuilding Group. The vessel will use methanol-fueled engines to generate electricity for twin propellers mounted at the stern.
Featuring twin skegs and a gross tonnage of 996, the ship is described as among the most energy-efficient and highest-capacity vessels in China’s 1,000-ton class.
The order is part of a port development project led by Huainan, which is investing 990 million yuan to build a comprehensive logistics hub with nine specialized berths and infrastructure for alternative fuels, vessel construction, and research. Delivery is expected in 2026, with 30 more new-energy ships to follow.
By the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan, about 5 percent of the Huai River fleet is expected to shift to new energy, with 300 vessels planned and expansion toward the Yangtze basin underway.
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Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
