COSCO orders VLOCs at affiliate yard

COSCO Shipping has ordered two 325,000 dwt very large ore carriers (VLOCs) at its affiliated yard COSCO Yangzhou. According to Clarksons Research, the vessels will have methanol dual- fuel propulsion, will be shaft generator and scrubber fitted and are expected to deliver in 4Q 2026 and 2Q 2027. 

COSCO is going hard after methanol as a future fuel. In September last year, COSCO, the world’s largest shipowner, teamed with three other Chinese state-run firms – State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC), Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), and China Certification & Inspection Group (CCIC) – to develop a green methanol industrial chain which will comprise the production, transportation, refuelling, and certification of green methanol for ships.

COSCO has ordered methanol dual fuel newbuilds in a variety of sectors including dry bulk, containers and tankers. Last month, it also contracted for a series of methanol engine retrofits on eight of its boxships.