Hapag-Lloyd and Seaspan Corporation have completed the first conversion under their joint methanol retrofit programme, upgrading the 10,100 TEU Seaspan Yangtze to dual-fuel capability, reports Bangalore's MarineInsight.

The ship's conventional MAN S90 engine was replaced with a dual-fuel engine capable of operating on methanol. This retrofit is the first of five vessels covered by the programme, which also includes Seaspan Amazon, Seaspan Ganges, Seaspan Thames, and Seaspan Zambezi.

The overall investment for the five conversions is estimated at about US$120 million. Each retrofit is expected to cut CO2e emissions by 30,000 to 50,000 tonnes per vessel per year when operating on low-carbon methanol.

Silke Lehmkoster, managing director fleet at Hapag-Lloyd, stated that retrofitting existing ships is an important lever in the company's plan to decarbonise fleet operations by 2045. She added that the successful conversion demonstrates how technical innovation and cooperation with partners can make proven vessels ready for low-carbon fuels.

The project extends the operational life of existing ships while increasing fuel flexibility. Hapag-Lloyd noted that the retrofits form part of its wider sustainability strategy, which also includes newbuildings, efficiency improvements, and sourcing alternative fuels.