Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has named OOCL Grace, its second 24,000-TEU methanol dual-fuel container vessel, as the carrier accelerates the rollout of its next-generation low-carbon fleet. The naming ceremony was held on August 28 at the Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering (NACKS) shipyard in China.
OOCL Grace is the second of seven 24,000-TEU methanol dual-fuel vessels being built by NACKS for OOCL. The vessels are among the world’s largest methanol dual-fuel container ships and are designed to support the carrier’s efforts to reduce emissions while maintaining ultra-large vessel capacity.
The vessel follows OOCL Wisdom, the first ship in the series, which was named in May and completed its first green methanol bunkering before beginning its maiden voyage to Europe in July. The successive deployment of the vessels marks OOCL’s continued investment in alternative-fuel propulsion and fleet renewal.
OOCL said the new generation of vessels forms part of its strategy to advance the expansion, greening and digitalisation of its fleet. The ships are expected to provide customers with higher-capacity and more sustainable transport options while supporting the carrier’s global network.
The introduction of methanol-capable mega-ships comes as container carriers increasingly invest in alternative fuels to meet tightening environmental requirements and growing customer demand for lower-carbon logistics. OOCL’s broader fleet strategy also includes other alternative-fuel investments, including a recently announced series of 13,600-TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels.
With OOCL Grace and its sister vessels entering the fleet in succession, OOCL is strengthening its position in the transition towards lower-carbon container shipping while retaining the economies of scale offered by ultra-large vessels.