Fratelli Cosulich has launched the first of four methanol-ready bunker tankers at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China.

The vessel, named Anna Cosulich, was launched on 4 February in a ceremony attended by partners, stakeholders and the project team. Giovanna Cibin, managing director of Express Global Hong Kong, served as the vessel's godmother.

Anna Cosulich is an IMO II bunker tanker developed as part of Cosulich Marine Energy's fleet expansion programme.

The tanker will be fitted with a MarineLINE cargo tank coating designed to provide enhanced protection for chemical cargoes, including methanol. The coating is intended to support bunkering operations in line with evolving regulatory and technical requirements.

According to Cosulich, the vessel has been engineered from the design stage to facilitate a future transition to methanol operations.

"As the first vessel of this four-ship series to be launched, she sets the technical and operational benchmark for the remaining sister vessels, reaffirming the Group’s long-term commitment to investing in future-ready tonnage and sustainable marine energy solutions," the firm said.

The vessel's name continues the Cosulich family tradition of naming vessels after family members, reflecting what the company describes as a connection to its origins.