On January 27, China State Shipbuilding Corporation Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) and China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC) jointly held a naming and delivery ceremony for the fourth 49,500 DWT methanol dual-fuel chemical tanker built for ECOMAR, a joint venture established by Singapore’s HAFNIA and France’s SOCATRA. The new vessel was named ECOMAR GIRONDE. The delivery of this vessel marks the successful completion of the four-vessel project.
SOCATRA is France’s leading petroleum shipping company, with operations spanning bulk cargo transportation, onshore petroleum product storage and tourism. SOCATRA and GSI commenced their partnership in 2023, jointly commissioning HAFNIA to build four 50,000 DWT methanol dual-fuel MR tankers.
The vessel measures 183 meters in overall length, 32 meters in beam, with a design draft of 11 meters and a service speed of 14.5 knots. It represents GSI’s independently developed new generation methanol dual-fuel oil tanker.
Utilizing clean-energy methanol as an alternative fuel, the vessel incorporates shaft generators, vortex-reducing fins, propeller guide tubes and twisted rudders to enhance energy efficiency. It also features a reserved foundation for an energy-saving wind tunnel, enabling future installation. Sea trials confirmed a 46% reduction in carbon emissions, with its Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) significantly exceeding the International Maritime Organization’s Phase III requirement of a 30% reduction.