On September 17, China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) issued an announcement regarding taking delivery of a new 9,300 CEU methanol dual-fuel powered PCTC (pure car and track carrier).
The announcement disclosed that CMES, through its wholly-owned subsidiary shipping company, has taken delivery of the “Gangrong,” a 9,300 CEU methanol dual-fuel powered ro-ro vessel. This marks the world’s first large-scale car carrier equipped with a methanol dual-fuel propulsion system.
According to the announcement, this vessel is the first of two 9,300 CEU methanol dual-fuel powered RoRo ships and four 7,800 CEU methanol dual-fuel powered PCTCs ordered by CMES in 2023.
This propulsion system enables flexible switching between conventional fuel and methanol modes, meeting the current International Maritime Organization Tier III maximum emission standards. When using green methanol, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 70%.
CMES stated that as of the date of this announcement, its Ro-Ro vessel segment operates a total of 19 vessels across various categories, including 8 Changjiang Ro-Ro vessels, 4 coastal Ro-Ro vessels, and 7 ocean-going Ro-Ro vessels. The company has an order book of 5 vessels, including one 9,300 CEU ro-ro vessel and four methanol dual-fuel ro-ro vessels. These vessels are scheduled to enter service between the second half of 2025 and 2026.