A Chinese shipowner has ordered a fleet of methanol-only bulkers, eschewing dual-fuel technology to run on methanol only. Wuhan Innovation Jianghai Transportation has contracted with Jiangsu Qinfeng Shipbuilding to build 16 coastal freighters of about 15,000-20,000 dwt capacity. The vessels will run on a domestically designed methanol-only engine developing 1-2MW of power. It is the first time that a Chinese firm has built coastwise vessels that run on methanol as a single fuel, according to Wuhan Innovation. The firm did not specify whether the fuel for these vessels will be green methanol or fossil-based methanol, which accounts for 95 percent of global production. Fossil-based methanol has higher well-to-wake CO2 emissions than conventional bunker fuel oil – especially in markets where commercial-grade methanol is produced from coal, as it often is in China. The Chinese government encourages the use of methanol as a fuel in part because of its low smog-related emissions: when burned, fossil methanol emits far less particulate matter, NOx and SOx at the exhaust stack, even though its lifecycle CO2 emissions are much higher.

The Mighty Yangtze: Navigating the Depths

The Yangtze River, one of the longest and most significant waterways in the world, has long been a vital artery for China’s economy and culture. Recently, a remarkable feat has been achieved with the successful navigation of a 10,000-ton vessel as far up the river as Luohuangzhen, located on the upriver side of the Three Gorges Dam.