MPC Capital unveils two methanol-ready containerships

Hamburg-based asset management firm MPC Capital has unveiled the first two in a series of six methanol-ready newbuilds being built by HJ Shipbuilding & Construction in South Korea.

PHOTO: MPC Capital’s methanol-ready containership MV ZIM Danube. MPC Capital

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 5,500 TEU containerships, MV ZIM Danube and MV ZIM Ganges, are “designed for future conversion to carbon-neutral operations using green methanol,” MPC Capital says.

The two vessels have been built for Norwegian shipping company Ocean Yield. Upon delivery, the vessels will be chartered out to Israeli cargo shipping company ZIM for a period of seven years.

Shipowners are increasingly turning to methanol as a low-emission alternative to conventional marine fuels. Last month, dry bulk shipping company OceanPal invested in Norwegian firm RFSea Infrastructure II, which has ordered two methanol-ready chemical carriers.

Also in the same month, Chinese shipbuilder China Merchants Jinling Shipyard started construction of three methanol-ready tankers ordered by Danish shipping company Terntank, and Greek shipping company Danaos Shipping ordered two methanol-ready containerships, which are set to be delivered in 2026.

By Tuhin Roy

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