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CMI Weihai Shipyard starts building Finnlines’ methanol dual-fuel Ro-Pax

Methanol, optimised hullform and propulsion, air lubrication, battery banks and shore power will reduce emissions considerably compared to vessels currently operating on the Finland-Germany route.

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CMI Weihai Shipyard starts building Finnlines’ methanol dual-fuel Ro-Pax

Freight and passenger services shipping operator Finnlines on Friday (15 May) said construction of its new Hansa Superstar class vessels officially began at the CMI Weihai Shipyard in China on 15 May 2026. 

The shipyard is part of the China Merchants Group, one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups. Construction commenced with a traditional steel cutting ceremony where Captain Juhana Nuru and Technical Superintendent Petri Leino initiated the automated panel line.

The vessel is the first of three Hansa Superstar class ro-pax vessels ordered by Finnlines from the Weihai shipyard. The ship is scheduled to enter service in summer 2028.

The methanol-powered ro-pax vessel will strengthen Finnlines’ capability to provide low-emission freight and passenger transport services in the coming years. The Hansa Superstar class vessels combine large transport capacity, innovative design and a high level of passenger comfort in a way that supports environmental sustainability.

The Hansa Superstar class vessels will sail under the Finnish flag and are specifically designed for the long sea route between Finland and Germany. Fossil-free methanol, optimised hullform and propulsion, air lubrication, waste heat recovery, heat pumps, battery banks and shore power will reduce carbon dioxide emissions considerably compared to vessels currently operating on the route.

The vessels are about 240 metres long and offer 5,100 lane metres of cargo capacity. Passenger capacity is 1,000, and the vessels feature a total of 321 passenger cabins and 72 crew cabins.

“With its new Superstar class vessels operating on the Naantali–Kapellskär route, Finnlines introduced the most innovative concept in the ro‑pax sector and set a new benchmark for ro‑pax traffic in the Baltic Sea. We are now taking this concept to the next level by commencing the construction of an even more versatile series of vessels. Continuous investments in our fleet demonstrate our commitment to bringing the most modern tonnage to Baltic Sea traffic, equipped with the best available environmental technology,” says Thomas Doepel, President and CEO at Finnlines.

“The Hansa Superstar class vessels have been designed to meet the growing transport needs of industry and trade as well as the expectations of passengers. A strong and reliable sea connection between Finland and mainland Europe is a vital element of security of supply and the smooth functioning of supply chains, while at the same time we aim to offer passengers an increasingly high-quality and comfortable travel experience,” says Marco Palmu, Head of Passenger Services at Finnlines.

The steel-cutting ceremony marks another milestone in Finnlines’ twenty-year development programme, which includes the acquisition or construction of 20 new vessels. The latest investment programme comprises three Hansa Superstar class vessels, which are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2029.

 

Photo credit: Finnlines
Published: 19 May, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Following the successful deployment of “ONE Singapore” and its sister vessels, “ONE Solidarity” will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service.

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Singapore-based ONE celebrates maiden voyage of methanol-and-ammonia ready boxship

Singapore-based container shipping company Ocean Network Express (ONE) on Thursday (3 July) said it celebrated the maiden voyage of containership ONE Solidarity as the ship made its first-ever arrival in Shekou, China. 

“As one of our S-series methanol and ammonia ready container vessels, ONE Solidarity is another demonstration of ONE’s commitment to sustainable shipping,” the company said in a social media post. 

Following the successful deployment of ONE Singapore and its sister vessels, ONE Solidarity will be deployed on the Mediterranean Pacific South 2 (MS2) service. 

“Her deployment will boost our service capacity, ensuring faster, more reliable, and highly efficient shipping offerings across key global trade lanes,” the company added.

 

Photo credit: Ocean Network Express
Published: 3 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Following delivery of the ship in China, it will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, strengthening Fratelli Cosulich’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

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“Lucia Cosulich” enters final preparation ahead of bunkering operations

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Thursday (2 July) celebrated the delivery of Lucia Cosulich at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China.

The vessel is the second of four sister methanol-ready IMO II bunker tankers developed within the Group’s fleet expansion programme and follows the launching ceremony held on 2 May 2026.

Designed to support the Group’s bunkering operations and future fuel requirements, Lucia Cosulich is part of the new generation of vessels developed by Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy to combine operational reliability, safety and fuel flexibility.

Lucia Cosulich will now enter the final preparation phase ahead of its next operational steps, further strengthening the Group’s ability to provide reliable bunkering solutions.

“We wish Lucia Cosulich and her crew fair winds on the next stage of her journey,” the company said. 

Related: Fratelli Cosulich launches second methanol-ready bunker tanker in China

 

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 3 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026 compared to 155 in the same period in 2025.

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DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Latest data from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed a total of 15 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in June 2026.

This consisted of 10 orders for LNG-fuelled vessels, nine of which were car carriers and one a CO2 carrier. The remaining five orders were for LPG/ethane carriers.

Two LNG-bunker vessels were also ordered in June, bringing the total in this segment to seven so far in 2026.

In total, 137 alternative-fuelled vessels were ordered in the first half of 2026, down 11.6% from 155 in the same period in 2025. 

Over half of these (73) were for LNG-fuelled vessels, with most coming from the container (42) and car carrier (21) segments. LPG/ethane carriers were also prominent, with 55 new orders, a significant uptick compared to the first half of 2025 (15). The remaining orders were for vessels fuelled by methanol (2), ethanol (2), ammonia (4), and hydrogen (1).

Deliveries in the first half of the year point to continued uptake of alternative-fuelled tonnage across several segments, with 61 LNG-fuelled vessels and 38 methanol-fuelled vessels delivered so far in 2026.

More recently, Exmar took delivery of what it described as the first oceangoing dual-fuel ammonia vessel, marking a step beyond earlier ammonia-fuelled deliveries, which have largely been associated with pilot or demonstration projects rather than commercial deployment.

DNV: Alternative-fuelled vessel orders down 11.6% in H1 2026

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “What we can take away from the first half of 2026, in terms of the alternative-fuels orderbook, is that we have a market progressing at different speeds depending on segment economics, fuel availability, and the regulatory landscape. Shipowners and other stakeholders are pursuing different pathways based on their individual priorities and requirements.

“LNG remains the leading near-term fuel option, with order activity continuing to be led by containers and car carriers. LPG and ethane carriers have also accounted for a significant share of activity in the first half of the year, while developments in areas such as ammonia and ethanol show that multiple pathways continue to be explored.”

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 3 July, 2026

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