China’s Zhoushan Xinya Shipbuilding has scooped the world’s first methanol dual-fuel boxship conversion contract.
The shipyard will retrofit an unnamed AP Moller-Maersk container vessel next year.
The contract was signed in a lavish ceremony in Zhoushan on Wednesday.
Guests included Han Jun, a member of the standing committee of the Zhoushan municipal party committee, and Xu Weibo, mayor of the Putuo district.
Maersk was represented by Brian Voldsgaard, its senior procurement director, who signed the deal with Xinya general manager Xia Songkang.
Also present was engine maker MAN Energy Solutions’ China service general manager Martin Lyager Hansen.
The shipyard said: “Dual-fuel modification of ships is currently the focus of the industry and has huge market potential for the ship repair industry.”
“Xinya used the strength of the entire company and pooled the wisdom of all employees to successfully win the bid for Maersk’s world-first container ship methanol dual-fuel modification project on 27 September this year, opening a new chapter for further cooperation between the two parties,” it added.
The giant shipowner said in June it was working with MAN on the project to allow more of its vessels to run on green methanol.
The company already has 19 methanol-powered boxships being built, with more orders planned.
Sister vessels will be retrofitted when they are due for special surveys.
Government support
The carrier has pledged that 25% of its container volumes will be transported using green fuels by 2030.
Yard boss Xia said: “The successful bid for the world’s first container ship methanol dual-fuel conversion project cannot be achieved without the care and support of government leaders at all levels, as well as the strong support and trust of the team of global shipping and logistics giant Maersk.”
He also mentioned the hard work and dedication of all Xinya workers.
“Today’s signing is an epoch-making and milestone event in the history of Xinya’s development. It writes a colourful new chapter and marks that Xinya once again stands in a new era, at the starting line,” Xia added.
Voldsgaard said: “As a leader in the global shipping and logistics industry, Maersk has the responsibility to set a new benchmark for decarbonisation and emission reduction in the global shipping industry.”
“The signing of the world’s first container ship methanol dual-fuel conversion project will further help Maersk achieve its 2040 net-zero emissions goal,” he added.
