Recently, the methanol fuel supply system independently developed by Shanghai QiYao Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. (Qiyao Environ Tec), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), successfully completed sea trials and was formally delivered.
The system was successfully installed on the world’s first methanol-fueled intelligent VLCC built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC), supporting the MAN LGIM 7G80ME dual-fuel main engine. Trial results demonstrated that all performance indicators fully met design requirements, with stable and reliable operation, earning unanimous recognition from the shipowner, shipyard, and classification society.
The methanol fuel supply system independently developed by Qiyao Environ Tec covers fuel bunkering, transportation, storage, supply skids, and partial auxiliary systems, encompassing the entire process of methanol fuel from bunkering and utilization to purging. As a core subsystem, the methanol fuel supply skid not only ensures that the methanol entering the main engine remains within the appropriate pressure and temperature ranges at all times but also stabilizes pressure fluctuations within the limits required by the main engine when the engine load changes, thereby guaranteeing the efficient and stable operation of the power system.
During sea trials, Qiyao Environ Tec overcame multiple challenges including high-intensity operations and adverse sea conditions. Witnessed by the shipyard, shipowner, and classification society, Qiyao Environ Tec efficiently completed several critical commissioning tasks: automated methanol transfer, seamless switching between methanol and fuel oil dual-mode operation, dynamic response to main engine load, sustained methanol operation at full speed, and unmanned operation of the methanol system.
Particularly noteworthy is that throughout the entire endurance test, the methanol system achieved stable operation with zero alarms. Core performance indicators such as pressure fluctuations strictly met design requirements, successfully completing all acceptance test items.
As Qiyao Environ Tec’s first methanol fuel supply system deployed on a VLCC, this successful sea trial and delivery not only demonstrates the company’s technological leadership in the field of new green marine fuels but also provides a crucial blueprint for the subsequent series-based and standardized design of methanol supply systems across multiple vessel types. This achievement will significantly advance the large-scale adoption of methanol fuel supply systems on various types of vessels.