On October 27, the first methanol dual-fuel container ship, constructed by CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding under Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC) for France’s CMA CGM Group, set sail for sea trials.
The contract for this vessel, signed on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, marks the first vessel in CSSC’s first batch of methanol-powered dual-fuel container ship order. The vessel is of neo-Panamax type with a total length of 366 meters, a beam of 51 meters, and a maximum loading capacity of 16,136 containers. In addition to conventional containers, it can also carry 1,000 refrigerated containers.
The vessel offers flexible fuel options, capable of operating on methanol or conventional fuel oil to achieve net-zero emissions, fully meeting current environmental emission standards for maritime navigation.
During the vessel’s sea trial preparation phase, CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding focused its efforts on fully completing its annual production targets. During the dock commissioning phase, CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding completed full-load operation tests of the generator and main engine. It also coordinated navigation system signals with satellites, achieving centimeter-level positioning accuracy for radar, GPS, and other equipment. All piping and equipment for the methanol system were installed.
CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding completed the strength calibration of 36 ballast tanks in just five days. It also used drones for the first time at the dock to conduct navigation light testing, achieving a 95% completion rate for alarm point inspections.
As a critical step in ensuring the safety and reliability of the vessel’s propulsion system, this sea trial is scheduled to last 10 days. It will focus on verifying key performance metrics, including the vessel’s navigational capabilities at different speeds and sea conditions, cargo handling simulations, and equipment reliability.
CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding stated that during sea trials, it will rigorously adhere to the trial program requirements and comprehensively evaluate all performance metrics with meticulous attention, laying a solid foundation for the vessel’s subsequent naming and delivery.