China Merchants takes delivery of methanol-capable car carrier

China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) recently delivered the ship CM Wuhan to China Merchants RoRo, marking a significant addition to China's vehicle exports. The ship, named CM Wuhan, was constructed specifically to transport electric and plug-in hybrid cars and now boasts the ability to carry 7,800 car equivalent units (CEU). This is the first methanol-capable roll-on/roll-off vessel (RoRo) to be classed exclusively by China Classification Society.

The CM Wuhan's dual-fuel engines can operate on either methanol or conventional marine fuel, adhering to the IMO's Tier III standard for nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. This stringent limit on gases that contribute to smog and acid rain is applicable in designated emission control areas. The ship also features a high-voltage shore power connection, enabling it to power down its engines and rely on electricity from the grid when docked.

Although the source does not specify the ship's designated routes or methanol bunkering locations, it is worth noting that earlier this month, another methanol-capable car carrier, Guangrong, successfully completed a 2,300 metric ton methanol bunkering operation at Guangzhou’s Nansha automobile terminal. This marked the first instance of a roll-on/roll-off vessel bunkering methanol at a Chinese port.