SHIPPING

Tsuneishi launches first methanol-powered Kamsarmax ship

DT

Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc. has launched SC-443, an 81,200-metric ton dual-fuel methanol-powered Kamsarmax bulk carrier, marking a global first in cleaner shipbuilding technology.

Assembled in April 2025 at West Cebu Estate, the vessel is set for deployment by January 2026. SC-443 is engineered to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10%, nitrogen oxides by 80%, and sulfur oxides by 99% compared to conventional bulk carriers.

Methanol fuel aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions from ships by at least 40% by 2030.

Tsuneishi Heavy Industries has operated at West Cebu Estate for over 30 years, launching nearly 400 ships and delivering more than 370 vessels worldwide. The company’s success highlights Filipino craftsmanship supported by infrastructure developed by Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Economic Estates.

West Cebu Estate anchors a maritime hub that has helped establish the Philippines as the world’s fourth-largest shipbuilder by gross tonnage.

Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Economic Estates span over 2,000 hectares, generating 100,000 jobs, attracting more than ₱167.4 billion in investments, and facilitating $54.75 billion in exports, underscoring the Philippines’ competitive edge in Southeast Asia.