Retrofitting at scale: Lessons from delivering the world’s first methanol mega containership conversion in International Shipping News 13/06/2026 The retrofitting of a 20,000 TEU container vessel to run on methanol was successfully completed in China in 2025. With valuable lessons already learned, this can pave the way for further conversion of the global fleet to low-GHG fuels, supporting wider decarbonization efforts. The world’s first methanol conversion project for a mega container carrier was completed at CHI‑Shanghai’s yard in September 2025. At nearly 400 metres in length and with a capacity of 20,000 TEU, the seven‑year‑old vessel became the first ship of its kind to be retrofitted to run on methanol. Delivered through close coordination between COSCO Shipping, CHI Shanghai, designers, suppliers, and DNV, and supported by a process of continuous learning, the project demonstrated that deep, first‑of‑a‑kind retrofits can be executed safely, on time, and at industrial scale. Designing a methanol conversion for a megaship The vessel’s fuel system, designed only for conventional fuels, required fundamental changes to enable safe and compliant methanol operation across propulsion, auxiliaries, storage, and safety systems. The general design was developed by MARIC, while CHI Shanghai carried out the detailed engineering and served as EPC contractor. The scope included conversion of the ship’s MAN B&W 11S90 main engine and two of its four Wärtsilä auxiliary engines to dual‑fuel operation. In parallel, new methanol fuel tanks with a total capacity exceeding 15,000 cubic metres were installed forward of the engine room, together with new fuel preparation and supply systems. Coordinating the complexity of retrofitting Delivering this as a retrofit rather than a newbuild added complexity that is often underestimated. Existing structural arrangements could not simply be replaced, and new systems had to be integrated into confined spaces, requiring innovative constru