China-built world's largest methanol dual-fuel container ship sets sail

The world's largest methanol dual-fuel container ship independently built by China embarked on its commercial maiden voyage from Qingdao Port in Shandong province on Friday.

Before setting sail for major ports in Northern Europe, the mega-ship loaded more than 3,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo and successfully completed a ship-to-ship bunkering operation of 1,500 metric tons of methanol.

The world's first 24,000-TEU methanol dual-fuel container vessel boasts a maximum container capacity of 24,168 TEUs and a deadweight of 225,000 tons, setting a record as the largest in its class.

The maiden voyage further highlights the expanding global reach of Qingdao Port. In recent years, the hub has continuously densified its ocean-going trunk network, now operating nearly 240 shipping routes.

Connecting to more than 700 ports across over 180 countries and regions, Qingdao Port currently maintains the highest shipping route density among all ports in northern China.