Global marine fuel supplier Fratelli Cosulich has launched a new methanol-ready bunker tanker in China, according to a company announcement reported by Ship & Bunker.
The vessel, named Carlotta Cosulich, was launched at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard, Ship & Bunker reports, citing a LinkedIn post from Fratelli Cosulich. The IMO type II bunker tanker is the third vessel in a four-ship series being built for the company.
Part of a Wider Fleet Expansion
According to Ship & Bunker, Fratelli Cosulich took delivery of an earlier vessel in the same series, Anna Cosulich, in May, which is intended for deployment in Singapore. The Carlotta Cosulich follows as the third of the planned four-vessel newbuild program.
The report notes that the new tanker carries a methanol-ready notation, meaning it has been designed to allow for a future conversion to methanol propulsion, should the company choose to pursue that route later. Ship & Bunker states that while such notations are becoming increasingly common across the bunkering and shipping sectors, actual conversions to methanol propulsion remain rare industry-wide at this stage.
According to Fratelli Cosulich’s statement, as cited by Ship & Bunker, the Carlotta Cosulich has been “designed with MarineLINE-coated cargo tanks and methanol readiness from the outset,” combining operational flexibility with future-fuel readiness.
Does This Matter to You?
The launch reflects a broader trend among bunker tanker owners toward building in flexibility for alternative fuels, even where immediate conversion is not planned. For parties involved in bunker delivery, fleet planning, or vessel chartering, developments like this may signal how suppliers are positioning their fleets for a potential shift toward methanol as a marine fuel over time.
As the source material does not provide details on emissions performance, capacity, or specific deployment plans for the Carlotta Cosulich beyond its methanol-ready design, the direct operational impact for bunkering activities is not yet clear. The vessel’s eventual deployment location and role within Fratelli Cosulich’s supply operations have not been specified in the available reporting.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
