
A2B-online Orders Two New Methanol-Fueled Containerships in China
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
Dutch shortsea shipping operator A2B-online has ordered two new dual-fuel methanol container vessels from China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard, located in Weihai, Shandong Province, China. With this order, the company's fleet renewal program expands to four vessels in total.
From Turkey to China
The new contract marks a shipyard switch for A2B-online, which in 2023 had ordered its first two dual-fuel vessels from Turkish shipyard Sedef Shipyard. Those two vessels, named A2B Vision and A2B Progress, have already been launched and are preparing to enter service.
Technical Specifications
The new vessels will feature a methanol multifuel propulsion system, shore power connection capability and battery capacity, enabling zero-emission operations in ports and inland waterways. The design was developed together with Hamburg-based engineering firm Technolog Services, and will offer double the cargo capacity of the current fleet without a significant increase in overall length. The company has not disclosed the contract price, delivery dates or capacity figures for this new pair of vessels.
Fleet Replacement and Routes
A2B-online's current fleet consists of seven older containerships built by Sietas between 1995 and 1999, which the company will gradually replace with the new units. Once delivered, the vessels will operate on the shortsea routes connecting Moerdijk, in the Netherlands, with the British ports of Tilbury, Immingham and Teesport.
Statements
Dinant de Jong, CEO of A2B-online, stated that the decision to proceed with the construction of vessels three and four demonstrates the company's ambition and that the collaboration with the shipyard in China allows it to expand its sustainability efforts, while also thanking customers, partners, collaborators and investors for the trust that made this step possible.



