Tsuneishi unveils world’s first methanol-powered bulk carrier

CEBU, Philippines — Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc. has launched the world’s first methanol-powered Kamsarmax bulk carrier,  a major breakthrough in green shipbuilding and reinforcing the Philippines’ role as a key player in the global maritime industry.

According to the company, the 81,200-metric ton vessel, designated SC-443, was assembled at the West Cebu Estate in April 2025 and is slated for deployment to East Asia by January 2026.

The dual-fuel ship is engineered to operate on methanol, significantly reducing emissions—cutting CO2 by 10 percent, NOx by 80 percent, and SOx by 99 percent compared to conventional bulk carriers.

The vessel’s development aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) decarbonization targets, which call for a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by 2030.

Methanol is gaining traction as a viable alternative fuel amid growing pressure on the maritime sector to transition to cleaner energy sources.

With more than three decades of operations at West Cebu Estate,

Tsuneishi has produced nearly 400 ships and delivered over 370 vessels worldwide.

The company’s latest innovation highlights the Philippines’ emergence as the world’s fourth-largest shipbuilding nation by gross tonnage.

Tsuneishi’s operations are supported by West Cebu Estate, a 540-hectare industrial zone developed by Aboitiz InfraCapital under the Aboitiz Group—positioned as the country’s first “techglomerate.” The estate offers smart infrastructure and integrated logistics, serving as a critical enabler of industrial growth and advanced manufacturing.

To date, Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Economic Estates portfolio spans more than 2,000 hectares and has generated over 100,000 jobs, attracted P167.4 billion in investments, and facilitated $54.75 billion in exports. The group’s strategic developments are helping to elevate the Philippines’ position as a competitive industrial hub in Southeast Asia.