On December 22, the NEW EXPLORER, the world’s first methanol dual-fuel very large crude carrier (VLCC), was officially delivered in Dalian, China.
The vessel was built by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. under China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for China Merchants Shipping, marking the first time a methanol dual-fuel VLCC has entered commercial service. The NEW EXPLORER is the eighth-generation VLCC independently developed by CSSC Dalian Shipbuilding and is classed by the China Classification Society (CCS).
Measuring approximately 333 meters in length, the vessel has a crude oil carrying capacity of about 2.1 million barrels. It features improved seaworthiness, strong port adaptability, reduced emissions, and intelligent operational capabilities.
According to CCS, its shallower full-load draft compared with conventional VLCCs enhances navigational convenience through the Malacca Strait and improves compatibility with a wider range of ports.
The vessel is equipped with a domestically produced methanol dual-fuel main engine and a methanol fuel supply system. Compared with conventional fossil-fuel-powered ships, it can reportedly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 92 percent, sulfur oxide emissions by 99 percent, and particulate matter emissions by 90 percent.
In addition, the NEW EXPLORER integrates several self-developed intelligent onboard systems, including an intelligent liquid cargo control system and an intelligent engine room operation and maintenance system. These platforms are designed to enhance operational efficiency, economic performance, and safety.
To remind, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has recently achieved a related milestone by classing its first methanol-fueled containership, CMA CGM ANTIGONE, a 15,000 TEU dual-fuel vessel built by CSSC Jiangnan Shipyard for the CMA CGM Group. Officially named on December 11 and delivered on December 12, the ship is the lead vessel of Jiangnan’s independently designed “Kun” series of methanol dual-fuel container ships. Measuring 366 meters in length, CMA CGM ANTIGONE represents a new generation of large container vessels
