The new ship design includes two methanol fuel tanks.

Class societies CCS and DNV have granted approval in principle (AiP) certificates to a methanol-powered very large crude carrier (VLCC) ship design.

CCS and DNV grant AiP for new Chinese methanol-driven VLCC design

This green vessel’s design has been developed by Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation (CSET) and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) subsidiary Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (DSIC).

The 310,000dwt low-carbon/zero-carbon alternative fuel ship features two methanol fuel tanks.

With a combined capacity of up to 10,000m³, these tanks will fulfil the fuel requirements of the vessel’s main engine, auxiliary engine and boiler during an entire voyage of up to 23,000 nautical miles.

The firms jointly performed the design evaluation for the overall arrangement of the vessel.

They picked and arranged the fuel tanks and fuel system of the ship, as well as offered technical services for the design of the vessel in line with compliance verification and design improvement.

This new design is expected to deliver ‘a new and practical solution’ for large size tanker fuel options while supporting greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

In a statement, CSET said: “Cosco Shipping Energy will continue to keep track and research on low-carbon fuel technologies, relying on the strong technical reserves and continuous innovation leadership of shipbuilding-related partners, to provide shipping ‘dual carbon’ make a greater contribution to the realisation of the target and the commercialisation of zero-carbon ship types.”

Due to its potential to lower carbon emissions, green methanol is gaining popularity in the shipping sector across the globe.