Danaos takes methanol-ready vessels order tally to 10

Greek shipping company Danaos Shipping has ordered two methanol-ready containerships that are set to be delivered in 2026.

Photo: Danaos Shipping’s 8,468 TEU containership M/V Europe passing under Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver. Danaos Shipping

Methanol-ready means that the vessels will likely run on conventional fuels from when they are delivered, until they are converted to be able to consume methanol. Methanol-ready vessels are generally designed in a way that prepares them for future retrofits.

The two 8,258 TEU containerships will take the company’s methanol-ready containership order tally to 10, Danaos Shipping revealed in its second-quarter report. But the company has not disclosed the name of the shipbuilder that will build these vessels.

Seven of the vessels are slated for delivery in 2024, one in 2025 and two in 2026.

“In total, we have 10 vessels, with a total capacity of approximately 75,000 TEU, on order. All of these will be able to utilize alternative fuels. Importantly, six of these vessels are already chartered for multi-year periods beginning on their delivery dates in 2024,” Danaos Shipping's chief executive Dr. John Coustas said.

Shipowners are increasingly turning to methanol as a low-emission alternative to conventional marine fuels. Classification society’s DNV latest tally shows that there are 204 confirmed methanol-fuelled vessels in operation and on order, up from 156 in June.

The orderbook of methanol-powered vessels has grown exponentially over the past few months, from nine vessels in April, to 12 in May and 29 in June.

By Tuhin Roy

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