Jishui, China's first 15,000-Ton Methanol Single-Fuel Bulk Carrier

(International Shipping Network/EWorldShip (Google translation) On the morning of November 25th, Jiangsu Qinfeng Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. held a ceremony to mark the successful launch of the "Innovation 19," China's first 15,000-ton methanol-powered river-sea direct bulk carrier. As a significant milestone in my country's green and intelligent ship development, the successful launch signifies a key breakthrough in the field of clean energy ships and sets a new benchmark for the low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry.

The auspicious ceremony in Jishui County garnered widespread attention from the industry, bringing together over two hundred guests from supply chain partners, government departments, industry associations, research institutions, and shipping companies. Leaders and experts from organizations including the Xiangshui County Riverside Economic Development Zone, the Waterborne Transport Research Institute of the Ministry of Transport, the Clean Energy Vehicle and Vessel Branch of the China Communications and Transportation Association, the Global Methanol Association, the Yangtze River Maritime Safety Administration, the Lianyungang Maritime Safety Administration, the Lianyungang Office of the China Classification Society, the Wuhan Drawing Review Center of the China Classification Society, the Ningbo Economic and Technological Development Zone Port Affairs Administration, the Beilun District Port and Shipping Management Center of Ningbo City, and the Anhui Provincial Shipping Chamber of Commerce were present to witness this historic moment.

Representatives from core partners in the industry chain—including Zhejiang Seaport Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., the 711 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Group, Chongqing Gearbox Co., Ltd., and Zhejiang Hailida Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.—gathered together, demonstrating the entire industry chain's firm confidence and collaborative efforts in the development of green shipping.

The "Innovation 19" vessel was independently developed, designed, and built by Wuhan Innovation River-Sea Transportation Co., Ltd. It is the first of five methanol-powered river-sea direct transport vessels built in China. The vessel is 129.70 meters long, 22.60 meters wide, and 10.20 meters deep, specifically designed for river-sea direct transport.

The "Innovation 19" vessel is equipped with a completely independently developed CS8L21M methanol single-fuel engine, employing advanced methanol direct injection technology. It has successfully overcome several technical bottlenecks, including efficient and clean combustion and corrosion resistance of key components. This engine has a rated power of 1600 kilowatts. While maintaining power performance comparable to traditional diesel engines, it achieves a methanol substitution rate of over 90%. The application of green methanol can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 90%, while simultaneously reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 60% and sulfur oxide emissions by 99%.

In his address, Yuan Houan, Chairman of Wuhan Innovation River-Sea Transportation Co., Ltd., stated: “The successful voyage of the ‘Innovation 19’ is another vivid example and key breakthrough in the company’s implementation of its green development strategy. Since the ‘Jiangxia’ vessel pioneered the new model of direct river-sea transportation in 1997, we have developed sixteen types of vessels and built forty-six green ships. Today, the ‘Innovation 19’ is leading us into a new era of green shipping, and we will continue to drive the industry’s low-carbon transformation through technological innovation.”

The successful construction of the "Innovation 19" vessel is attributed to a complete collaborative innovation system across the entire industry chain. From Wuhan Innovation Jianghai Transportation Co., Ltd. proposing the design concept for methanol-powered ships, to the 711 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation completing the power system development, Chongqing Gearbox Co., Ltd. providing transmission system support, Zhejiang Hailida Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. ensuring the methanol supply system, and China Shipbuilding Fuel Co., Ltd. providing ample methanol fuel supply, and especially the financial support from Zhejiang Haigang Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.—all parties worked together to promote the entire process of methanol-powered ships in my country from technology research and development to industrial implementation.

Meanwhile, four other sister ships in the series are also under construction and are expected to be put into operation successively before May 2026. Next, Qinfeng Shipbuilding will continue to promote the construction of a green fleet, develop and build more types of methanol single-fuel seagoing vessels, further expand the application scenarios of clean energy in the shipping sector, and contribute "Wuhan innovation" to the green transformation and high-quality development of my country's shipping industry. READ MORE