Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. has delivered the world’s first methanol dual-fuelled bulk carrier in the 65,700 deadweight ton class, named the Tess66 Aeroline.
Delivered on May 13 at the company’s Fukuyama shipyard in Hiroshima, Japan, the vessel combines the fuel efficiency and high cargo capacity of the Tess66 series with a more sustainable propulsion system that uses methanol. This marks a significant step forward in the maritime industry’s efforts to reduce environmental impact.
The Tess66 reduces harmful emissions by using methanol instead of conventional heavy fuel oil, achieving up to 80% lower nitrogen oxide (NOx), 99% lower sulfur oxide (SOx), and 10% lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. With green methanol, the vessel can contribute to carbon neutrality. It maintains high loading performance with a 65,700 mt deadweight and 81,500 m³ cargo hold capacity, and features Tsuneishi’s Aeroline design to reduce wind resistance and boost fuel efficiency.
Company president Okumura Sachio called the delivery a “deeply meaningful milestone,” emphasizing the vessel as a symbol of Tsuneishi’s commitment to environmentally responsible shipbuilding. He expressed gratitude to partners and employees, and reaffirmed the company’s intent to continue building methanol-fuelled ships and advancing sustainable maritime technologies.
To remind, in Apri, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. launched Japan’s first tugboat equipped with a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine (ICE).
