On December 28, Wuhan Innovation River-Sea Transportation (Wuhan Innovation) held a ceremony to start construction of four 15,000 DWT methanol single-fuel river-sea bulk carriers at Jiangsu Qinfeng Shipbuilding. It is reported that this is the first batch of methanol single-fuel bulk carriers to be built in China, marking the prelude to the construction of China’s methanol single-fuel bulk carriers, a milestone in the history of China’s new energy ship.
The 15,000 DWT methanol single-fuel river-sea direct bulk carrier is independently researched, designed and invested by Wuhan Innovation. The ship has an overall length of 129.70 meters, a beam of 22.60 meters, equipped with the first methanol single-fuel main engine developed by Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research institute (SMDERI) and classed by CCS. Upon completion, it will make useful exploration for the batch application of methanol single-fuel-powered ships in China, and will surely write a new chapter of green and intelligent shipping for river and sea direct ships.
Jiangsu Qinfeng Shipbuilding has previously signed a large order for 16 methanol-powered ships and started construction of four ships for the first time. The shipyard said that it will take this groundbreaking ceremony as a new starting point to ensure that all work is completed on schedule and strive to achieve the goal of “delivering four 15,000 DWT ships, starting construction of two 20,000-ton ships, and starting the construction of alternative ships within the next year”, making greater contributions to promoting the green development of river-sea direct shipping.
SMDERI’s independently developed CS21 series methanol fuel medium-speed engine with a replacement rate of over 90% is the first domestic methanol fuel medium-speed engine product that uses direct injection technology and has obtained classification society certification. The product has a cylinder diameter of 210mm, a single-cylinder power of 200kW, a total power of 800-1800kW, a rated speed of 1000r/min, and a maximum methanol replacement rate of over 90%. At the same time, it can reduce nitrogen oxides by 60% and sulfur oxides by up to 99%.
High methanol replacement rate means saving more operating costs for users. In the future, greenhouse gas regulations will be upgraded to achieve a decarbonization effect of more than 90%. This type of product provides advanced technology and solutions for China’s shipping industry to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction goals through green methanol.
The 15,000 DWT methanol single-fuel river-sea direct bulk carrier is the first batch of domestic vessels applying methanol single-fuel, and its development concept and application technology are in the leading position in the industry, which is of great significance.