Wärtsilä Wins China’s Largest-Ever Methanol Newbuild Contract

Wartsila Engine — Image Credits: Wartsila

Wärtsilä Technology Group has acquired the largest ever methanol newbuild order in China’s maritime sector.

The order involves the supply of methanol-fueled auxiliary engines for twelve container vessels: five for COSCO shipping lines and seven for the Orient Overseas Container Line.

Each vessel will be powered by a combination of three 8-cylinder and two 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 35 Engines.

This substantial order, secured by Wärtsilä in December 2023, represents an important turning point in the Chinese maritime industry’s acceptance of methanol-fueled vessels.

In addition to this propulsion technology, the ship will be outfitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust cleaning systems and alternators supplied by Wärtsilä’s joint venture firm, CWEC.

The Wärtsilä 35 M methanol-fueled engine has acquired type approval certifications from several classification bodies worldwide, confirming its viability for marine applications.

Studies indicate that utilizing methanol as a substitute for heavy fuel oil has environmental benefits, including lower CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, green methanol obtained from renewable sources has the potential to achieve even greater reductions in carbon footprint, presenting it as a key decarbonization solution for the maritime industry’s future.

Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine and Executive Vice President of Wärtsilä Corporation, highlighted the necessity of sustainable fuels in meeting the maritime industry’s decarbonization objectives.

He emphasized Wärtsilä’s commitment to creating fuel-flexible technologies and solutions to help the industry shift to cleaner fuels.

The container vessels, each with a capacity of 24,000 TEU, will be built at two distinct shipyards.

Orient Overseas Container Line’s vessels will be built in the Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Yard, while the COSCO Shipping Line’s vessels will be built at the Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Yard.

Commercial operations for these vessels are projected to begin in 2026, representing a big step toward zero-emissions shipping.

Reference: Wartsila

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