Updated: October 20, 2023 (Originally published August 23, 2023)
by John Konrad (gCaptain) On August 17, China shipbuilders marked another milestone in maritime technological advancements with the launch of the “Eco Maestro”, the world’s second dual-fuel methanol containership. This not only underscores China’s commitment to eco-friendly alternatives but also its ability to rapidly integrate cutting-edge technologies into new vessels.
This news follows closely on the heels of Maersk receiving the world’s first methanol-powered containership from Hyundai in July. For the past two decades, Korean shipyards, including giants like Hyundai and Samsung, have been the primary destinations for shipowners seeking technological advancements. However, in recent years, China has demonstrated its prowess in quickly following the South Korean yards with intricate newbuilds.
Built by Sumec’s Yangzhou New Dayang Shipbuilding, a leading Chinese shipbuilder, the ship will serve X-Press Feeders, a Singaporean company, and operate in Northern Europe by Q2 2024.The ship utilizes the latest MAN dual-fuel engine, which is built to run on green methanol. The ship is fitted with energy-efficient mechanisms like shaft generators and adjustable propellers, reaffirming China’s ability to build out designs that integrate a complex array of technology into one working system.
In just a span from December 2021 to June 2023, China’s advanced shipbuilding capabilities were further highlighted as orders expanded. Eastway, an affiliate of X-Press Feeders, expanded its fleet with an additional order of six more advanced, methanol-operating, ice-class ships, reinforcing the trust global players have in China’s ability to deliver state-of-the-art ships swiftly.
China’s emphasis on quickly integrating new cutting-edge maritime technology, as evident from this launch, along with its highly competitive, government-subsidized cost structure, positions it as the likely frontrunner in producing the next-generation, environmentally-friendly ships, of the future.
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
Global shipping companies are moving full steam ahead with commercial vessel orders from Chinese shipyards, despite the U.S. targeting those ships with port fees aimed at countering China's maritime dominance, a new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies showed.
Shares in Chinese shipbuilder Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, the largest private shipbuilder in China, have fully recovered from earlier setbacks triggered by U.S. trade policy changes targeting Chinese-built ships, according to a...
Chinese shipyards have seen their global market share drop dramatically from 72% to 52% in the first half of 2025, according to a new analysis from BIMCO. “In the first...
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
