Cosco Shipping has completed methanol dual-fuel retrofits on four ultra-large container vessels, according to a company announcement.

The ships are Cosco Shipping Libra, Cosco Shipping Gemini, Cosco Shipping Peony and Cosco Shipping Jasmine, covering vessels of both 20,000 TEU and 13,800 TEU capacity.

According to Cosco Shipping, the retrofit programme involved upgrades to the power system, installation of dedicated methanol fuel systems, optimisation of hull structures and improvements to intelligent safety systems.

The container carrier noted that green methanol can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 63%-99% compared with conventional marine fuels, cut nitrogen oxides (NOx) by more than 60%, and produce near-zero sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter.

Cosco Shipping added that each retrofitted vessel is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by more than 70,000 tonnes.

As previously reported, the Cosco Shipping Libra recently returned to Shanghai Yangshan Port after completing its first operational voyage following what was described as the world’s first full methanol dual-fuel retrofit following conversion to methanol dual-fuel operation for both its main and auxiliary engines.