X-Press Feeders orders six methanol dual-fuel boxships

Eastaway, a member of the X-Press Feeders Group, has ordered six 1,250 TEU containerships, fitted with dual-fuel engines capable of operating on conventional fuel and methanol.

The first ship is set to be delivered by the second half of 2025, bringing the number of dual-fuel vessels in the pipeline for the X-Press Feeders Group to 14. The vessels will join the ranks of Eastaway’s managed fleet and will be operated by X-Press Feeders.

X-Press Feeders has set a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, aiming to be ‘The Greener Feeder Carrier Of Choice’. The group moves closer to its targets with this additional fleet of dual-fuel newbuilds while employing other strategies such as carbon capture and exploration of future fuels. 

 “X-Press Feeders is excited to be expanding our fleet of dual-fuel vessels with these newbuilds. To achieve our goal of reaching net-zero emission by 2050, we must take concrete steps today. This order of 6 dual-fuel methanol vessels is proof of our commitment to not only talk about carbon neutrality goals but invest and take risks to achieve them. X-Press Feeders will continue to look at ways to further invest resources to reduce emissions through more efficient operations and promoting sustainable practices throughout our network,” said X-Press Feeders Chief Executive Officer, Shmuel Yoskovitz.

Compared to other vessels that run on conventional fuels, the new dual-fuel vessels are expected to produce about 75% less emissions when operating on green methanol. The vessels will adopt the Sdari Sealion CV1250 methanol dual fuel design, built by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company Limited. They will be of Ice Class, with delivery dates estimated between Q3 2025 to Q3 2026.

Initial deployment of the vessels will likely be in X-Press Feeders established European network.

Eastway placed an order for eight 1,179 TEU feeders back in 2021 scheduled for delivery in 2023.

They are also dual-fuel methanol container ships that have been designed by naval architects TECHNOLOG Servies GmbH.

X-Press Feeders will operate the ships in its Europe and Americas trade routes, as part of its 100-strong fleet of operated vessels.