Existing Structures a Major Challenge in First Methanol Boxship Conversion: DNV

Share:

Retrofitting a 20,000-TEU container ship for methanol propulsion proved significantly more complex than a newbuild project, according to classification society DNV.

The conversion of Cosco Shipping Libra required engineers to work around existing ship structures while integrating new fuel, automation and security systems into limited onboard space, it said in its Maritime Impact article released on Friday.

The Cosco Shipping Lines-operated vessel is fitted with dual-fuel methanol engines from Everllence last year.

The conversion happened at CHI Shanghai Shipyard.

DNV said the project demanded innovative construction methods and close coordination among suppliers as methanol tanks, fuel supply systems, automation equipment and security systems were installed onboard.

Software commissioning also emerged as a major challenge.

According to DNV, integrating manage systems, automation platforms and remote-operation interfaces took significantly longer than expected on the first vessel.

Because the project involved multiple suppliers and was the first methanol retrofit of its kind, there was little reference data available.

"to the first vessel, software commissioning took far longer than expected, Yan Hao, commercial director at CHI-Shanghai, said.

"Because this was a first-of-its-kind retrofit involving several suppliers, there was no baseline data.

“The integration of multiple systems required extensive testing and recalibration."

According to DNV, lessons learned from the project were later applied to a sister vessel, helping minimize retrofit time from 108 days to 90 days.

The Cosco Shipping Libra completed a 106-day maiden voyage in January.

China's Jiangxi Jiujiang Petrochemical PTA Integration Project Ushers in Key Nodes to Make up for the Short Board of Polyester Raw Materials in Central China

INEOS Bayport Thai Oxide Plant Declares Force Major

Meeting of Two Industry Leaders! Shanghai Electric and Wanhua Chemical Set Sights on Low-Carbon Chemical Sector

Lanplatin art paint brand introduction

Seven-color pearlescent pigments from Global New Materials International will be showcased at the 2026 Powder Coatings Exhibition, leveraging high-performance materials to drive the green transformation of coatings.

PETKIM selects Univation's process technology for polythylene complex in Turkey

Sulfur supply restricted, US phosphate fertilizer giant Mosaic announced production suspension for more than half a year and layoffs.

Global New Material International's seven-color pearlescent appearance in 2026 powder coating exhibition, with high-performance materials to enable green coating upgrade.

Seven-color pearlescent pigments from Global New Materials International will be showcased at the 2026 Powder Coatings Exhibition, leveraging high-performance materials to drive the green transformation of coatings.

Japanese companies to develop ammonia fuel supply chain, four ammonia-powered car carriers

Quick inquiry

Create

Inquiry Sent

We will contact you soon