China's first methanol-powered ship was launched on July 23. [Photo by Miao Xiaojian]

China's first methanol-power ship, the "Jianglong" independently developed by Jianglong Shipbuilding Co Ltd, was officially launched in Shenwan Town on July 23. 

The "Jianlong" measures approximately 40 meters in length, 8 meters in width, 2.7 meters of displacement, 10 meters in height, and 503 tons net weight. It took nearly an hour to complete the entire launch procedure. 

"With air pollution from ship emissions on the rise, governments around the world have introduced various regulations to limit emissions from shipping," said Fang Hongpei, Technical Director of Jianglong Shipbuilding, "The use of methanol for marine fuel is the leading-edge development trend, and it falls in line with the ship industry goals of energy saving and emission reduction." 

Under this context, Jianglong Shipbuilding has been cooperating with Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co Ltd, Tianjin University and Guangdong Yichang Lishi Machinery Co Ltd to develop, design, and manufactures methanol-powered ships. It has now finally launched the first methanol-powered ship, thanks to a three-year research and development effort.

According to studies, compared with pure-diesel-powered ships, ships powered by clean energy methanol are more fuel efficient with a 10% economic improvement, 96% reduction in carbon monoxide emissions, 99% reduction in total hydrogen carbon, and 54% reduction in smoke intensity in its current application. 

Wei Anli, Secretary-General of the Expert Group on Methanol Vehicle Pilot Work at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that a series of test data and test results taken from "Jianglong" will provide reference points that will be used for preparing domestic technical specifications for methanol-powered ships of the future.