China's Shandong Ocean Group orders 10 methanol-fuelled ore carriers from local yard

Chinese shipbuilder the Shandong Ocean Group has awarded CSSC Beihai Shipbuilding a contract for the construction of 10 new very large ore carriers (VLOCs) in a series.

The VLOCs will each have an LOA of 340 metres, a beam of 62 metres, a deadweight of 325,000, and dual-fuel engines that can operate on methanol. The engines will be capable of complying with IMO Tier III regulations whether running on methanol or on conventional fuel.

The ships will also be fitted with shore power connections as well as seawater cooling systems in their respective engine rooms.

Shandong Ocean and CSSC Beihai Shipbuilding had earlier signed contracts for the construction of six VLOCs from the same series. These six earlier ships are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028.

The 16 VLOCs have a total construction cost of approximately CNY9.3 billion (US$1.3 billion).

Design work on the VLOCs is being undertaken by the China Shipbuilding Industry Ship Design and Research Centre in compliance with DNV and China Classification Society requirements.