CSBC gets LR nod for methanol dual-fuel vessel design

Taiwanese shipbuilder CSBC has received classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) approval for its 2,500 TEU dual-fuel methanol feeder vessel design.

PHOTO: Company representatives at the deal signing event at Marintec China. LR

The approval “is critical to the global supply chain, enabling the transport of cargo to smaller ports inaccessible to larger ships,” LR says.

Prior to this collaboration, LR and CSBC successfully partnered for a 50,000 DWT methanol-fuelled oil tanker. These projects showcase CSBC’s commitment “to addressing market trends and rising to the challenge of achieving zero-emission shipping,” LR adds.

“SBC is delighted to have LR as a reliable partner, assisting us in identifying risks and providing design guidance as we develop new dual-fuel vessels,” CSBC's design department director Gordon Yuan says.

The approval in principle (AiP) was awarded to CSBC at the Marintec China 2023 event taking place in Shanghai this week.

Methanol in the headlines

Methanol has emerged as one of the popular low-emission alternative fuels for shipping decarbonisation. The fuel dominated the marine news headlines several times this year.

German engine maker MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES) announced this week that it will supply dual-fuel methanol engines for Danish shipping firm J. Lauritzen’s upcoming three bulk carriers. Also last month, the engine maker unveiled plans to launch a new dual-fuel methanol engine in 2026.

Shipping firms are also collaborating to ramp up their methanol-powered fleet. Singapore-based dry bulk and tanker firm Stamford Shipping and Danish maritime firm Green Marine recently formed a JV to build and manage methanol dual-fuel vessels.

By Tuhin Roy

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online