Wuhan Innovation Jianghai Transportation has ordered 16 methanol-powered river-sea dry bulk vessels from Jiangsu Qinfeng Shipbuilding.
The contract is for 15,000 dwt and 19,600 dwt methanol-fueled vessels. These are lauded as the first Chinese vessels to use methanol as their sole fuel.
These two vessel types will use two different kinds of CS21M methanol single fuel medium speed engines. Previously, Wuhan Innovation signed a sales contract for these engines with the Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute in August this year.
The CS21M methanol engine has between 1MW and 2MW of power, using methanol cylinder direct injection technology. According to specifications, it can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 60% and sulfur oxide emissions by 99%.
“This construction contract for 16 methanol-fueled river-sea ships signifies a new chapter in Wuhan Innovation’s journey toward environmentally sustainable shipping solutions,” said Yuan Houan, chairman of Wuhan Innovation.