Wärtsilä fulfills largest Chinese methanol newbuild order

The order for three 8-cylinder and two 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 32M engines per vessel represents the Chinese maritime sector’s largest order to date for methanol-fuelled newbuilds.

“With decarbonisation a major priority for the maritime industry, sustainable fuels, such as methanol, will play a vital role in helping shipping to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions,” said Roger Holm, president of Wärtsilä Marine and executive vice president at Wärtsilä Corporation.

“Wärtsilä continues to make strong investments in developing new fuel flexible technologies and products which enable the industry’s transition towards greener fuels.”

In addition to the engines, the newbuilds will be equipped with selective catalytic reduction exhaust cleaning systems and alternators supplied through Wärtsilä’s joint venture company, CWEC (Shanghai).

The OOCL’s 24,000 teu ships are to be built at the Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering yard, and the COSCO Shipping Lines’ 24,000 teu ships at the Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering yard. The vessels are expected to begin commercial operations in 2026.