China has delivered the world’s first methanol dual-fuel very large crude carrier (VLCC), New Explorer. The vessel was handed over on 22 December in Dalian, China, and has now entered commercial service.

The ship was built by Dalian Shipbuilding, part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), for China Merchants Shipping. It is classed by China Classification Society (CCS), which supported the project and helped facilitate its early delivery.

New Explorer is an eighth-generation VLCC independently developed by Dalian Shipbuilding. The tanker is about 333 metres long and can carry around 2.1 million barrels of crude oil.

It has been designed with a shallower full-load draught than conventional VLCCs. This allows easier passage through the Malacca Strait and improves access to a wider range of ports.

The vessel is also designed for strong seaworthiness, low emissions and intelligent operations. The tanker is powered by a domestically produced methanol dual-fuel main engine and a dedicated methanol fuel supply system.

Compared with conventional fossil-fuel-powered ships, the vessel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 92 per cent. It can also cut sulphur oxide emissions by 99 per cent and particulate matter by 90 per cent.

New Explorer is equipped with onboard intelligent platforms developed for modern ship operations. These include an intelligent liquid cargo control system and an intelligent engine room operation and maintenance system. Together, these systems are intended to improve operating efficiency, economic performance and safety.

The intelligent liquid cargo control system integrates more than ten subsystems related to crude oil loading, unloading and transportation.

It supports coordinated control across multiple systems, enables intelligent cargo handling operations and provides decision-making support based on expert knowledge.

CCS said it was closely involved during the research, design, construction and commissioning stages of the vessel.

The classification society provided technical support focused on green technology and intelligent ship solutions, contributing to the successful delivery of New Explorer and its entry into commercial service.

Reference: CCS