COSCO Signs Up for First Methanol Retrofits

COSCO Heavy Industry Shanghai Co. has entered into a contract with MAN Energy Solutions for the retrofit of four COSCO Line containerships to dual-fuel methanol engines.

The vessels, with capacities of 13,800 and 20,000 TEUs, currently operate on single-fuel MAN B&W 11S90ME-C10.5 engines, but will be retrofitted to dual-fuel MAN B&W 11S90ME-LGIM10.5 units capable of running on fuel oil or methanol. The retrofits will make them the first vessels in COSCO's fleet to operate on methanol.

The contract also includes an option for an additional nine vessels from COSCO's 20,000 TEU “Virgo” and “Pisces” class. COSCO Heavy Industry Shanghai Co. Ltd. will act as a complete turnkey solution provider for the COSCO Line retrofits.

The retrofitting of the first vessel is scheduled for Q2 2025.

"It's very promising to see one of the largest shipping companies globally choosing MAN Energy Solutions as a partner to achieve their decarbonization goals,” said Michael Petersen, Senior Vice President and Head of PrimeServ Denmark. “We are committed to bringing more retrofit solutions to the market, and our investment in the S90-LGIM R&D and testbed program is a fulfillment of this promise to our customers."

For MAN Energy Solutions, the recent order follows A.P. Moller – Maersk's methanol retrofit order for the G95 main engines on 11 of its container vessels.

"2030 is the year where China targets peak carbon emissions, while 2060 is its target for achieving net-zero. The decision to retrofit the propulsion engines in its fleet to methanol operation is a bold step in the right direction from COSCO, leading the way to green transportation and maritime decarbonization,” said Sarath Prasannan, Head of Region APAC at MAN Energy Solutions.