​International container transportation and logistics company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) on Friday (3 July) said its first methanol dual-fuel containership, OOCL Wisdom, completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage at Qingdao Port.

OOCL Wisdom is the first in a series of seven methanol dual-fuel container vessels. With a maximum capacity of 24,168 TEU, it is currently the world’s largest methanol dual‑fuel container vessel and is deployed on the Asia – North Europe Loop 1 (LL1) service.

Mr. Peter Pan, Director of Trades of OOCL, said: “OOCL Wisdom completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage to Europe at Qingdao Port, representing a significant achievement of the deepening collaboration between OOCL and Shandong Port Group, and reflecting OOCL’s steadfast commitment to green and low‑carbon development, digital intelligence and sustainability.”

Photo credit: Orient Overseas Container Line
Published: 6 July, 2026

Zhejiang Province on Saturday (27 June) completed its first cross-regional bonded LNG bunkering operation at Chuanshan Port Area of ​​Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, according to Hangzhou Customs. 

Bunkering vessel Hai Yang Shi You 302 travelled to ENN Zhoushan LNG receiving terminal to load bonded LNG. The vessel then supplied container ship MSC Maria Laura with 3,500 cubic meters of bonded LNG at Chuanshan Port Area. 

Compared with the traditional single-port bunkering model, the cross-regional operation removes the geographical barriers between Zhoushan’s gas supply and bunkering demand in Ningbo’s core port area, enabling cross-port LNG transfer within the province.

“The new operating model addresses longstanding constraints associated with the geographical limitations of LNG supply reloading and tight operational time windows,” said Chen Bangkui, Business Manager at CNOOC Zhejiang New Energy Co Ltd. 

“We can now flexibly source bonded LNG from both Zhoushan and Ningbo, significantly improving operational flexibility and efficiency.”

Photo credit: Hangzhou Customs
Published: 6 July, 2026

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) recently said China’s fleet of electric cargo ships has grown by 950%, from just four vessels in 2022 to 42 in 2025.

According to its latest blog, electrification is rapidly expanding along inland waterways in the country, offering a pathway to cut emissions, improve air quality, and lower operating costs.

ICCT said electric cargo ships are entering real-world operation at a rapidly growing pace

“Ship types have diversified, from bulk carriers and container ships to multi-purpose cargo ships. At the same time, vessel sizes have grown significantly, with the maximum deadweight tonnage (DWT) rising from around 3,000 tonnes in 2022 to approximately 14,000 tonnes in 2025,” it said.

“This indicates that China is testing the feasibility of electrification for increasingly larger ships.”

Although battery capacity constraints continue to limit sailing range per charge—which typically hovered between 150 km and 400 km from 2022 to 2025—trends show steady improvement; by 2025, electric cargo ships with a range of up to 500 km were already in operation in China.

Inland waterways have become the primary testing ground for electric cargo ship deployment. 

By the end of 2025, 86% of electric cargo ships in China were operating on internal rivers. 

“Nine provinces and municipalities have already launched pilot projects, covering major waterways such as the Yangtze River, the Pearl River, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal,” ICCT added.

The blog also explored the opportunities, challenges, and policy actions that could accelerate the shift to electric inland shipping.

“Developing an enhanced subsidy that favors electric vessels, on top of the current vessel trade-in subsidy program, could help reduce the upfront investment burden for electric vessel adoption,” it recommended.

ICCT added that tightening ship engine emission standards toward world-leading levels could increase the compliance costs of conventional-fuel vessels and improve the relative competitiveness of electric ships.

“The electrification of inland shipping in China is already underway; what is needed now is smart policy to accelerate the transition,” it said.

Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Published: 6 July, 2026