On March 27th, a signing ceremony for Guangxi’s first classified CCS 5,000 dwt multipurpose methanol-powered vessel was held in Guangxi’s Guigang Hi-tech Zone.
It is reported that this methanol-powered vessel will be built by Guangxi Xijiang Heavy Industry Co. It measures 84 meters in length, 15.78 meters in width and 5.6 meters in depth with a maximum displacement of more than 5,500 tons and a maximum cargo capacity of 4,700 tons. The vessel is equipped with the first 660kW-class methanol engine in China and intelligent control system, enabling automatic filling, supplying and safety control of methanol fuel, which greatly improves the convenience and safety of operation.
Compared to traditional fuel vessels, methanol-powered vessels can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25%, reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80%, and completely eliminate sulphur oxide and particulate matter emissions. If renewable methanol is used as fuel, carbon emissions will be further reduced to 100%, making it a truly “zero-carbon” green ship.
In terms of economic benefits, the vessel’s construction cost is reduced by 15% compared to LNG-powered vessels of the same class. The cargo hold capacity is increased by 5% while the living area remains unchanged, and the fuel cost is only 70% of that of a traditional diesel vessel, which is expected to reduce the operating cost for the shipowner by 400,000 RMB per year.
It is understood that Guangxi Xijiang Heavy Industry covers an area of 603 acres with a length of 630 meters along the river shoreline. It has 69 ship platforms and is a large ship design and manufacturing enterprise with the qualification of Class II steel general ship production conditions.
