by Lloyd's List
16 July 2025 (Lloyd's List) - COSCO is advancing the retrofit of four ultra-large containerships to utilise methanol fuel in a project first announced, in collaboration with engine designer Everllence, in late 2023.
The 20,000 teu COSCO Shipping Libra (IMO: 9783538) is the initial vessel chosen for Cosco’s first conversion of a conventional fuel ship to burn methanol. The 2018-built vessel arrived at Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry’s shipyard in Shanghai last month for conversion works, in addition to its first special survey drydocking.
According to Alphaliner, the vessel was floated out of drydock this week following the completion of much of the structural works required for the vessel to utilise methanol as fuel.
The complex conversion project requires modifications to engine fuel-injection systems, new fuel tanks and the fitting of a methanol fuel-preparation room.
Following remaining works and sea trials Cosco Shipping Libra is set to be handed over to Cosco in August and will return to service in the Asia-Europe trade during September.
The conversion is part of a four-ship project arranged with Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solutions) in December 2023 to retrofit two 13,800 teu and two 20,000 teu conventional-fuel boxships. Cosco holds options to convert a further nine vessels.
Retrofit of Cosco Shipping Libra is only the second conversion of a containership from conventional fuel to methanol dual-fuel specification.
The first methanol dual-fuel conversion was undertaken on Maersk’s 15,226 teu Maersk Halifax (IMO: 9784271) in a three-month project by China’s Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard, with the 2017-built ship returning to service in November last year.
The conversion is part of Maersk’s 2040 net zero emissions goal with plans to convert Maersk Halifax’s 10 sisterships by 2027.
CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd also have methanol conversion projects lined up.
CMA CGM signed an agreement with China’s Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in 2024 to undertake conversion of up to six 9,300 teu boxships to dual-fuel methanol specification.
In April last year, Hapag-Lloyd disclosed that it had entered into a joint project with containership tonnage provider Seaspan to retrofit up to 15 long-term chartered containerships to burn methanol.
