X-Press Feeders Converts Methanol Ready Vessels on Delivery

The pace of adoption of methanol-powered operations exceeds even industry expectations of just a few years ago. X-Press Feeders, which is preparing to launch a methanol-powered feed network in northern Europe this year, has decided to immediately convert several of its methanol-ready vessels to methanol operations.

THE Eco Umande marked its handover to X-Press Feeder for the second time in months yesterday, June 23, and immediately began two days of sea trials with its new methanol propulsion systems. Chinese authorities consider the vessel to be the first methanol conversion as the vessel was built methanol ready, but once delivered in March 2024, X-Press Feeders immediately returned it to a shipyard before entering into service to complete the methanol plant.

X-Press Feeders points out that it is building 14 vessels of similar design in several Chinese shipyards. The first one, Eco Maestro (13,900 dwt) was built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings and was delivered just a month ago. It refueled last month in Singapore and is completing its delivery which is expected to reach Las Palmas on June 30.

The class of ships was designed by German naval architects TECHNOLOG Services and measures 485 feet (148 meters) in length. They have a capacity of 1,170 TEUs. They have been designed for the new MAN 5S5ME methanol engine and will have a speed of 14.5 knots. The ships were designed for efficiency, including shaft generators, adjustable propellers, and suspended flap rudders.

The next ship, Eco Umande was built by New Dayang Shipbuilding and delivered to the company in March. However, it was immediately transferred to Zhoushan Pacific Offshore Engineering to be converted from a methanol-ready system to a fully operational methanol or green methanol system.

The shipyard detailed a complex process for converting the vessel to supplement its methanol capabilities. The modifications involved the installation of seven systems, including the methanol fuel system, nitrogen system, methanol equipment room bilge water system, tank ventilation and stripping system methanol, the LFSS instrument air system and the foam system. At the same time, eight systems required modifications, including the CO2 system, ship-wide air measurement system, engine room water supply system, cooling system by high and low temperature fresh water, compressed air system, control air system, fire water system, and ventilation system.

DNV highlighted that methanol is quickly overtaking other options to become the system of choice for new orders. It says 269 vessels are currently on order for delivery over the next five years and will be equipped for methanol operations.

X-Press Feeders stated that Eco Maestro would undergo additional tests once arriving in Europe before the next work launched in the third quarter. All 14 vessels will be delivered until mid-20256, but Zhoushan Pacific reports that it is already working on outfitting the second vessel, converting it from a methanol-ready vessel to an immediately capable vessel. This second project should be completed in July 2024.

Chinese company Zhoushan Xinya Ship Repair is expected to begin the first full conversion in the coming weeks. Maersk hired the site to undertake the conversion of Maersk Halifax (178,257 dwt / 15,262 TEU) and the ship is currently on its last voyage. It is expected to reach Shanghai on July 10 and arrive at the site five days later to begin the conversion of its traditional fuel plant for methanol operations. The project is expected to last approximately three months and will make the vessel the first large ocean-going container ship suitable for methanol operations. Hapag, together with Seaspan and CMA CGM, has also signed a contract for some of the first conversions of container ships into methanol service, while Stena has also designated two of its ferries for methanol conversions.