The launch ceremony for the 8,500 DWT duplex stainless steel chemical tanker Zhongran Green Energy 85 was recently held with great ceremony. As China’s first domestically built methanol bunkering vessel capable of navigating all sea areas, the vessel has successfully completed its maiden voyage in Jishui, Zhejiang Province.
This breakthrough expands the infrastructure needed to support the growing fleet of methanol‑powered vessels – an essential step toward decarbonizing maritime transport!
Operated by CHIMBUSCO Group, the 8,500‑DWT duplex stainless steel tanker can serve major coastal ports nationwide. It marks another major advancement as methanol emerges as a leading alternative fuel driving the transition to greener shipping.
CHIMBUSCO, a core force in COSCO SHIPPING’s clean‑energy strategy, has already built a multi‑fuel supply system covering biofuels, green methanol, LNG and more. It holds methanol bunkering qualifications in key hubs such as Shanghai and Ningbo, enabling a complete chain from procurement and storage to nationwide bunkering services.
The successful bunkering operations of “Zhongran Green Energy 85” open up more port options for methanol‑powered vessels and accelerate the creation of a north‑south methanol bunkering network across major shipping nodes.
This infrastructure is crucial for:
- Supporting clean‑energy vessel deployment
- Strengthening the national green fuel supply chain
- Helping the maritime sector achieve emission‑reduction goals
China’s clean‑energy shipping ecosystem is expanding rapidly, and this vessel marks another strong step toward a more sustainable.