On February 20th at 3:00 PM, the "Chuangxin 19" vessel, China's first methanol single-fuel powered river-sea直达 ship, departed slowly from the Beilun Ore Terminal in Ningbo, Zhejiang. Carrying 11,000 tons of iron ore bound for Jiangyin, it officially commenced its first operational voyage after loading cargo. The vessel measures 126.6 meters in length and 22.6 meters in width, with a gross tonnage of 9,614. Its methanol single-fuel engine was independently researched, designed, and developed domestically. This successful maiden voyage marks a practical step forward in the green transformation of China's shipping industry, entering a new phase of scaled exploration.
Globally, the green and low-carbon transition of the shipping industry is a consensus, with countries accelerating the research, development, and application of new ship power sources such as electricity, methanol, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Among these, methanol fuel has become a key alternative for cleaner marine energy due to its advantages in environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and ease of storage and transportation, attracting widespread attention from the global shipping sector. Statistics indicate that by the end of 2025, 439 ships worldwide are confirmed to use methanol power, with a peak in deliveries and demand expected in the coming years.
The large-scale application of methanol fuel in shipping has long faced technical challenges, including combustion control, component corrosion resistance, and supply compatibility. The successful inaugural journey of the "Chuangxin 19" is largely attributed to core domestically developed technology—specifically, the CS8L21M methanol single-fuel medium-speed engine onboard, which was entirely independently developed by the 711 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation. This engine utilizes advanced direct-injection technology for methanol, achieving a substitution rate of over 90%. It has successfully overcome multiple technical bottlenecks, reaching an internationally advanced level among similar products and providing essential equipment support for the development of methanol-powered vessels in China.
As a new type of powered vessel, methanol-fueled ships lack mature experience for safety supervision and maiden voyage assurance. To ensure the safety of the "Chuangxin 19's" first journey, the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration established a specialized task force for methanol vessels, proactively engaging early on. The task force collaborated with relevant entities involved in the ship's design, construction, and inspection to accurately assess risks associated with the methanol fuel power system and assisted the company in improving prevention and response measures. It also guided the establishment of a 24-hour shore-based support center and corresponding procedures and contingency plans. Additionally, the team compiled a regulatory service and support plan along with an inspection guide for methanol vessels, outlining 14 safety measures covering the entire process to achieve closed-loop management from design and construction to commissioning and operation.
Furthermore, through joint pre-construction inspections with classification societies and the opening of green channels for administrative services, safety risks were mitigated at the source. The full set of certificates for ship ownership and nationality were processed efficiently within just one working day, removing obstacles for the vessel's smooth inaugural voyage.
The scene at the departure was orderly, with maritime law enforcement officers onboard, shipping company managers, and technical personnel from the main engine and methanol supply system manufacturers closely monitoring data on the control console screens and meticulously recording navigation and power system operational parameters. This firsthand data will provide crucial references for the future design optimization, construction upgrades, and safe operation of methanol single-fuel powered vessels.
The successful departure of the "Chuangxin 19" on its first cargo-loaded commercial voyage represents a significant milestone for the green transformation of river-sea intermodal transport in the Yangtze River Delta and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. It also serves as a practical demonstration of the Chinese shipping industry's transition to clean energy, highlighting the country's independent innovation capabilities in shipbuilding and green shipping. China's technological breakthroughs and practical explorations in the field of methanol-powered vessels will offer valuable experience for the global shipping industry's low-carbon development.