X-Press Feeders retrofits methanol-powered ship

The PaxOcean shipyard in Zhoushan, China has completed the retrofit of a container ship with a methanol dual-fuel engine for X-Press Feeders in what PaxOcean claims is a world first.

The 1,170 TEU feeder vessel was only delivered to the Singaporean carrier in March 2024 as a ‘methanol-ready’ ship but was commissioned for a retrofit at the Zhoushan shipyard soon after it was constructed.

As with X-Press’ purpose-built methanol-powered ships, the Eco Umande has been fitted with a MAN Energy Solutions 5S50ME engine.

While the vessel was originally built with a methanol fuel reserve, the retrofit saw PaxOcean add a complete methanol fuel system, including stainless steel pipes for its supply and modifications to existing fuel systems.

X-Press says that the retrofit furthers its position as one of the industry leaders in pushing the use of methanol as a more sustainable alternative to traditional marine gas oil.

The company conducted the first simultaneous methanol bunkering and cargo operation in the Port of Singapore. In July last year, X-Press became the first feeder carrier to sign a green methanol deal with OCI Global.