On December 21, the first 15,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship built by CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding successfully completed its methanol fuel sea trial and returned smoothly, laying a solid foundation for the vessel’s formal delivery.
CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding stated that the sea trials focused on comprehensive validation of the advanced methanol dual-fuel propulsion system. During the trials, CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding worked closely with the shipowner and classification society, completing all test items in just six days with all major tests passing on the first attempt. Key focus was placed on testing the seamless fuel mode switching function, ensuring safe and stable transition of the main engine between conventional fuel oil (MGO) and clean methanol fuel.
Meanwhile, CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding also conducted in-depth methanol mode testing, covering all operating conditions such as main engine startup, loading and unloading, and endurance operation, and rigorously tested the performance of the supporting exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, comprehensively verifying the reliability and economy of the vessel’s “green heart”.
Following sea trials, all performance indicators of the vessel met design requirements, and its overall economic performance reached international advanced levels. In particular, the main engine durability test in methanol mode was successfully completed on the first attempt, under main engine load conditions ranging from 25% SMCR to 100% SMCR, laying a solid foundation for subsequent on-schedule delivery.
As a example of the new generation of eco-friendly container ships, the successful sea trial of this vessel marks another major breakthrough for CSSC (Tianjin) Shipbuilding in the research, development, and construction of high-tech, high-value-added green vessels.