CSSC 711 Research Institute's Methanol-Powered Vessel Sets Sail for Europe!

July 04, 2026

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(711 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) (Google Translation)) Signing agreement for the world's first methanol dual-fuel cement carrier power system. -- Recently, the 711 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) and Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard officially signed a contract for the supply of a methanol dual-fuel electric propulsion system and fuel supply system for a 9,000-ton cement carrier. The vessel, ordered by the German company Hartmann, will operate off the coast of Norway and is the world's first methanol dual-fuel cement carrier, with delivery expected by the end of 2027.

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The vessel is 120 meters long, has a deadweight tonnage of approximately 9,000 tons, and can operate on both diesel and green methanol fuels. When using green methanol as fuel, it is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 80%, equivalent to a reduction of approximately 6,000 tons per year compared to ships currently using fossil fuels.

The equipment provided by the 711 Research Institute for the vessel includes a methanol dual-fuel generator set, a methanol fuel supply system, a SCR (Self-Propelled Container Regulator), a main switchboard, main/side propulsion frequency converters, main/side propulsion motors, thrust bearings, and a propulsion remote control system. Among these, the methanol dual-fuel engine, methanol fuel supply system, SCR, propulsion drive control unit (DCU), and thrust bearings are all products independently developed by the 711 Research Institute.

Methanol dual-fuel engine

The vessel is equipped with three 6-cylinder CS21DF-M methanol dual-fuel generator sets with a rated power of 1100kW. It is the first domestic marine medium-speed engine to adopt methanol direct injection technology. The methanol substitution rate can reach 90%, which can replace 1 ton of diesel with 2 tons of methanol. The methanol escape is almost zero. After being equipped with SCR, the emissions meet the IMO Tier III regulations.

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Methanol fuel supply system

The supply system involves refueling, transshipment, storage, supply skids, and some auxiliary systems, covering the entire process of methanol fuel from refueling to use to purging. As a core subsystem, the methanol fuel supply skid not only ensures that the methanol entering the main unit is always within a suitable pressure and temperature range, but also stably controls pressure fluctuations within the main unit's requirements when the main unit load changes, ensuring the efficient and stable operation of the power system.

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Marine low-pressure SCR system

Based on extensive experience in actual ship applications and considering the low exhaust temperature of methanol engines, successful integration was achieved by adjusting the control strategy and logic.

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Main propulsion system

The propulsion scheme, which adopts a low-speed permanent magnet coaxial dual motor plus thrust bearing direct-drive propeller, has core advantages such as high operating efficiency, strong system redundancy, and good ship adaptability.

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Hartmann, a German company, has long been focused on environmental technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of the ocean. This collaboration signifies that the methanol-fueled engine and related products independently developed by the 711 Research Institute have gained recognition from European shipowners. my country's independent brand of marine green power has officially entered the high-end European shipping market, beginning to provide Chinese solutions for the decarbonization transformation of the European shipping industry. In the future, the 711 Research Institute will fully guarantee high-quality project delivery, continuously explore innovative technologies for green marine power, and contribute to reducing the global carbon footprint of maritime transport and promoting the green transformation of the shipbuilding industry. READ MORE

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Ten vessels! The methanol-powered + DC grid-connected electric propulsion system developed by the 711 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) opens a new chapter in coastal freight transport. ((711 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) (Google Translation))

Excerpt from 711 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) (Google Translation): On July 6, the 711 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) and Wuhan Innovation River and Sea Transportation Co., Ltd. held a signing ceremony in Shanghai to sign a cooperation order for methanol generator sets and electric propulsion systems for 10 23,600 DWT methanol-powered coastal bulk carriers.

The 23,600 DWT methanol-fueled single-fuel electric propulsion coastal bulk carrier signed in this contract was designed by Ningbo Oriental Ship Design Institute. It is the first coastal methanol-fueled single-fuel electric propulsion vessel of its tonnage class, boasting multiple advantages such as green and low-carbon operation, intelligent efficiency, and safety and reliability. It will set a new benchmark for the green transformation and development of coastal bulk carriers. The 711 Research Institute provided the entire batch of vessels with its independently developed methanol generator sets and DC grid-connected electric propulsion system, creating an integrated green power solution.

Building a Green and Low-Carbon Power Core

These vessels are equipped with 6-cylinder CS21M methanol single-fuel generator sets independently developed by the 711 Research Institute. Each unit has a rated power of 1130kW and is the first domestically produced marine medium-speed engine to adopt methanol direct injection technology, with core technologies that are independently controllable. Compared to traditional marine diesel engines, the methanol substitution rate can reach 90%, allowing 2 tons of methanol to replace 1 ton of diesel fuel. Furthermore, methanol escape is near zero, and emissions meet China's Phase II regulations. This will effectively address the high emissions and high pollution issues of traditional bulk carriers, comprehensively improving the green operation level of ships.

Adapted for efficient operation of methanol power

The 711 Research Institute tailored a new generation of DC grid-connected electric propulsion systems for this batch of 23,600 DWT large bulk carriers. The systems feature a simple architecture, compact equipment, high energy efficiency, and strong scalability. Based on experience integrating electric propulsion systems for over 50 large transport vessels, the project team further optimized the system's power and energy management strategies to suit the navigation conditions of large near-shore bulk carriers and the operating characteristics of methanol generator sets. This significantly improves the operational efficiency and safety of the methanol-powered electric propulsion system.

Building a New Pattern for Green Shipping Industry

Previously, the two parties had successfully completed the cooperation on the first domestically produced 15,000-ton-class methanol main engine for river-sea direct shipping vessels. This batch signing of contracts for methanol generator sets and electric propulsion systems for 10 large bulk carriers is a pragmatic measure for in-depth cooperation between the two parties and has become a model of mutual benefit and win-win between the upstream and downstream of the shipping industry.

Next, the 711 Institute will strictly control project quality, rigorously manage delivery schedules, and provide comprehensive support services to jointly cultivate the green shipbuilding sector and contribute to the large-scale, high-quality upgrading and development of my country's green shipping industry. READ MORE