Construction starts on ‘world’s first’ methanol dual-fuel intelligent VLCC

SHANGHAI : Dalian Shipbuilding, in partnership with China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, has started construction of what is said to be the “world’s first” methanol dual-fuel intelligent very large crude carrier (VLCC) for China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES).

As disclosed, the ship, which can carry about 2.1 million barrels of crude oil, is the eighth generation VLCC ship type independently developed by Dalian Shipbuilding based on scientific research projects.

The VLCC uses a methanol dual-fuel main engine and is equipped with a main engine exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, as well as with intelligent equipment such as intelligent energy efficiency, intelligent liquid cargo, intelligent operation and maintenance and intelligent ship-based platform.

China Merchants Energy Shipping is a strategic partner of Dalian Shipbuilding. The two parties have cooperated on projects such as 300,000-ton VLCC, 110,000-ton oil tanker, large bulk carrier and LNG carrier (LNGC).

In August 2024, CMES ordered ten energy-efficient tankers from Dalian. Specifically, the shipowner opted for five 306,000-ton VLCCs and five 115,000-ton Aframax tankers. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028.

Furthermore, at the beginning of 2024, Dalian officially started building two 175,000 cubic meter LNG carriers for CMES. One of the vessels was claimed to be Dalian’s first ship of the new generation of energy-saving and environmentally friendly LNGCs.