Japan: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding launches world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax

Japan’s Tsuneishi Shipbuilding on Monday (25 November) said it has launched the world’s first 65,700 metric tonnes (mt) methanol dual fuel bulk carrier TESS66 AEROLINE (TESS66) on 22 November in Tsuneishi Factory. 

This vessel is designed to operate with a low environmental impact using methanol fuel while utilising TESS66’s features of high load carrying capacity and fuel efficiency and is scheduled for delivery next spring. 

The large-capacity methanol fuel tank was placed on to maintain safety and simplicity in cargo loading and unloading, while at the same time ensuring loading performance. 

The vessel has a cargo hold capacity of 81,500 m3 and a deadweight of 65,700 mt, inheriting the characteristics of TESS66, which is the top class of loading capacity in Ultramax category. 

Mr. Date Masatoshi, Managing Executive Officer of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, said: “We were able to build and launch our first vessel of next generation, which we have been developing to achieve carbon neutrality in accordance with the ‘Technology Development Roadmap’ incorporated into our medium-term management policy.”

“Starting with full in-house manufacturing of pressure tanks for LPG carriers delivered in January this year, we have also started full-scale manufacturing of LNG fuel tanks and the technology developed in the full in-house manufacturing of pressure tanks is being applied to the production of methanol fuel tanks.”

“In the future, we will further strengthen our technology deployment and collaboration with group companies to build the vessels of methanol dual-fuelled at our overseas factories and lead the decarbonisation of the shipbuilding and shipping industry as an environmentally friendly company.”

Photo credit: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding
Published: 28 November, 2024