On November 1, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation(DSIC), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), in conjunction with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC) breaks ground on the world’s first methanol dual-fuel powered intelligent VLCC built for China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES).
The vessel is the eighth generation VLCC independently developed by DSIC based on its scientific research project, with an overall length of about 333 meters, a beam of 60 meters, and a capacity of carrying about 2.1 million barrels of crude oil. Adopting methanol dual-fuel main engine and equipped with main engine EGR, generator SCR denitrification equipment and open-type desulfurization scrubber, it fully meets the latest environmental emission standards and maximizes energy efficiency and economy.
In addition, the VLCC applies the latest vessel design with better comprehensive performance, and is equipped with intelligent equipment such as intelligent energy efficiency, intelligent liquid cargo, intelligent operation and maintenance, and intelligent ship-based platform, which further enhances the efficiency and safety of vessel operation.
CMES is an important strategic partner of DSIC, and the two sides have maintained close cooperation and achieved fruitful results in the projects of 300,000-ton VLCC, 110,000-ton oil tanker, large bulk carrier, LNG carrier, etc., and gained a number of innovative technology application projects of the world’s first VLCC.
The commencement of the construction of the vessel fully demonstrates the two parties’ firm practice of the “double carbon” strategy, which is an active exploration of promoting green and low-carbon transformation, and another major breakthrough in the field of zero carbon emission, greening and intelligentization of ultra-large vessels.
The order for the vessel was reportedly announced in August last year.In August 2023, CMES issued an announcement disclosing that the board of directors agreed to build one methanol dual-fuel VLCC at DSIC for US$107.5 million net, with delivery expected no later than April 2026. Delivery is expected no later than April 2026, which is the world’s first methanol dual-fuel VLCC order.