Why This Matters
COSCO Shipping Libra, a seven year old twenty thousand TEU giant, has returned to service with an upgraded Everllence S90 engine now able to burn both conventional fuel and green methanol. The retrofit allows immediate greenhouse gas savings without waiting for a newbuild program. Because Libra is one of more than three hundred ships using this engine platform, the demonstration opens a realistic short term pathway toward a cleaner container fleet.
Methanol is liquid at ambient temperature, so it slots neatly into existing bunkering practice while cutting sulfur to zero and slashing carbon intensity. The recent ship to ship bunkering of two thousand one hundred tons in Shanghai confirms that supply chains can scale quickly when demand appears.
Engineering Highlights
PrimeServ engineers replaced the original fuel injection module with the LGIM package, upgraded control software, and installed additional tanks plus piping for methanol. Crucially, the crankshaft and cylinder block were retained, keeping steel already embedded in the vessel productive. That reuse is often overlooked yet it delivers an invisible climate benefit by avoiding the emissions that would accompany manufacturing new heavy castings.
A dedicated S90 test engine in Japan gave Everllence real world validation before yard work began, dramatically shrinking commissioning risk. According to yard reports, total off hire time was comparable with a routine dry dock despite the significant scope, proving that large scale conversions can be scheduled without disrupting trade lanes.
A Non-Obvious Insight
Because methanol burns at lower temperatures, engine wear patterns change. Early data suggest that longer periods between cylinder liner inspections may be possible, offering owners an operational saving that sits outside the traditional fuel cost equation.
Conclusion
With a proven blueprint, established bunkering practice, and measurable operational bonuses, methanol retrofits now present an attractive fast track for nations and carriers seeking immediate progress toward climate targets.