World's Largest Methanol Dual-Fuel Container Ship Delivered, Marking New Milestone in Green Shipping

June 25, 2026 — China has achieved another major milestone in sustainable maritime transport with the delivery of OOCL Wisdom, the world's first 24,168 TEU ultra-large methanol dual-fuel container vessel. Built by Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (NACKS) and to be operated by Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Holdings, the vessel represents a significant advance in the commercialization of low-carbon shipping technologies.

The delivery marks a breakthrough in China's capability to independently design and construct next-generation ultra-large clean-energy container ships. It also demonstrates an integrated "China solution" that combines advanced shipbuilding, green propulsion technology, and global shipping operations to support the maritime industry's decarbonization goals.

Setting a New Benchmark for Ultra-Large Container Vessels

With an overall length of 399.99 meters, a beam of 61.3 meters, and a depth of 33.2 meters, OOCL Wisdom has a maximum carrying capacity of 24,168 TEU, a deadweight tonnage of 225,000 tonnes, and a design service speed of 22.7 knots. These specifications place the vessel among the largest and most capable container ships currently in operation.

World's Largest Methanol Dual-Fuel Propulsion System

The vessel's most notable innovation is its world-leading methanol dual-fuel propulsion system, integrating the largest methanol dual-fuel main engine, auxiliary engines, and boilers ever installed on a container ship.

The propulsion system allows seamless switching between conventional marine fuel and methanol, offering shipping operators greater operational flexibility while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The successful integration of this technology addresses one of the industry's key engineering challenges—combining ultra-large cargo capacity with low-carbon propulsion.

When powered by green methanol, OOCL Wisdom is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 150,000 tonnes annually compared with conventional fuel operation. In addition, sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions are virtually eliminated, while nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are substantially reduced, helping shipowners meet increasingly stringent international environmental regulations.

Successful Sea Trials Confirm Commercial Readiness

Following its official naming ceremony on May 8, the vessel completed comprehensive sea trials under a wide range of operating conditions.

The trials evaluated key performance indicators including propulsion efficiency, dual-fuel switching reliability, energy consumption, maneuverability, and overall operational stability. According to the shipbuilder, all performance targets exceeded design expectations.

The successful verification of the domestically integrated methanol dual-fuel propulsion system confirms its safety, reliability, and commercial readiness for long-haul international container services.

Strengthening China's Leadership in Green Shipbuilding

NACKS led the vessel's conceptual design, structural optimization, propulsion integration, and intelligent energy management system development, achieving independent control over the project's core technologies.

During construction, engineers overcame several major technical challenges, including lightweight structural design for ultra-large hulls, safe methanol storage and fuel supply systems, precise dual-fuel control, and lifecycle energy optimization.

The successful delivery demonstrates that China has fully mastered the construction technologies required for 24,000 TEU-class methanol dual-fuel container ships, further strengthening its position among the world's leading builders of advanced green vessels.

Accelerating the Transition to Low-Carbon Shipping

OOCL Wisdom is the first in a series of next-generation methanol-powered container ships currently under construction.

As part of its long-term decarbonization strategy, COSCO Shipping Holdings has placed orders for 70 dual-fuel container vessels, powered by both methanol and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The company is rapidly expanding one of the world's largest fleets of alternative-fuel container ships.

Supported by COSCO Shipping's extensive global liner network, mature fleet management capabilities, and compliance expertise, OOCL Wisdom is expected to strengthen the company's competitiveness on major international trade routes while contributing to the global shipping industry's transition toward net-zero emissions.