Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has held a naming ceremony for its second methanol dual-fuel container ship, according to Ship & Bunker. The 24,000 TEU vessel, named OOCL Grace, was christened at Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co. on Friday, with the Hong Kong-based carrier confirming the milestone in a press release cited by Ship & Bunker.
OOCL Grace is the second of seven 24,000-TEU methanol dual-fuel newbuilds that Nantong COSCO KHI is constructing for OOCL, Ship & Bunker reports. The first vessel in the series, OOCL Wisdom, was named in May and went on to complete its first green methanol bunkering operation in China in July, before departing on its maiden voyage to Europe, according to the report.
Like its sister ship, OOCL Grace is designed with dual-fuel capability, allowing it to operate on either methanol or conventional marine fuels, Ship & Bunker notes.
A Growing Methanol Fleet
Ship & Bunker points out that the container shipping segment has been at the forefront of methanol-fuelled newbuild orders industry-wide. As more methanol-powered boxships enter service or move through construction, the report states that ports will need to rapidly expand green methanol availability to keep pace with rising demand from vessel operators.
Does This Matter to You?
The naming of OOCL Grace reflects the continued build-out of methanol dual-fuel capacity in the container shipping sector, a trend that carries implications for bunker suppliers, port authorities, and fuel infrastructure planners. As Ship & Bunker’s report notes, the expanding orderbook for methanol-fuelled ships means ports will face growing pressure to secure and scale up green methanol supply chains.
For charterers and vessel operators tracking alternative fuel adoption, milestones such as OOCL Wisdom’s completed green methanol bunkering and maiden voyage offer an early indicator of how dual-fuel vessels are being integrated into commercial operations. Bunker traders and suppliers monitoring demand shifts may also find relevance in the pace at which additional methanol-capable tonnage, like OOCL Grace, is entering the fleet.
Beyond these points, the source material does not provide further detail on specific bunkering locations, pricing, or contractual arrangements tied to this vessel’s operations.
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
