In mid-July, at the No. 2 dock of Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (NACKS), the first massive block of the 24,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel ultra-large container ship built for Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) was precisely positioned. This milestone not only marks the full commencement of the main construction phase for this “sea giant” but also highlights the company’s solid strides in leading the global green shipbuilding industry.
The 24,000 TEU-class container ship, now undergoing keel laying, is one of the largest and most technologically advanced methanol dual-fuel-powered container ships currently under construction worldwide. The successful contract award and smooth progress of this project reflect NACKS’ deep understanding of the global shipping industry’s green and low-carbon transformation trend, its active response to China’s “dual carbon” strategic goals, and its continuous investment in R&D innovation and core technology breakthroughs.
Keel laying is a pivotal milestone in shipbuilding, symbolizing the formal establishment of the vessel’s “skeleton.” Faced with the challenges of constructing this massive and complex “sea giant,” NACKS leveraged its extensive experience and technical expertise in ultra-large container shipbuilding. From meticulous early-stage design to high-precision, high-efficiency block construction, and millimeter-level accuracy control during dock assembly, the company consistently upheld its philosophy of “craftsmanship-driven intelligent manufacturing.”
The standout feature of this vessel is its advanced methanol dual-fuel propulsion system. NACKS collaborated closely with OOCL’s technical team to integrate and implement this system, overcoming key technical challenges such as the design and manufacturing of large methanol fuel tanks, the safe integration of dual-fuel engine systems, and the optimization of fuel supply systems.
Compared to other alternative fuels, methanol offers significant advantages in terms of storage and transportation convenience, infrastructure compatibility, and lifecycle carbon reduction potential—especially when using green methanol, which enables near-zero carbon emissions.
NACKS’ successful execution of this ship type not only solidifies its technological leadership in clean-energy vessel construction but also provides global shipowners with more economically and environmentally friendly shipping capacity options.
It is reported that COSCO SHIPPING Holdings placed an order in 2022 with NACKS and Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (DACKS) for a total of 12 methanol dual-fuel-powered 24,000 TEU container ships, each costing approximately $239.85 million (equivalent to about RMB 1.71968 billion at the time). Among these, NACKS will build seven ships for OOCL, with deliveries scheduled between Q3 2026 and Q3 2028. DACKS will construct five ships for COSCO SHIPPING Lines’ wholly-owned subsidiary, COSCO (Cayman) Mercury Shipping Co., Ltd., with deliveries planned between February 2027 and June 2028.
