On Saturday morning, a milestone was achieved in China's inland waterway transportation history as the Minhou, a newly introduced 130-type methanol-diesel dual-fuel distribution vessel, docked at Chongqing's Guoyuan Port after departing from Shanghai.

This vessel's maiden voyage signifies China's venture into methanol-diesel dual-fuel distribution vessels, leading the way for more environmentally friendly and low-carbon inland waterway vessels in the country.

Minhou, manufactured by Chongqing-based Minsheng Industrial Group, is also said to be the first inland vessel in China equipped for flexible loading between standard and wide-body containers, allowing for the smooth transfer of wide containers from railways directly onto inland vessels and improving intermodal transportation.

The vessel carried 395 twenty-foot equivalent units of goods, including chemical raw materials and automotive parts.

According to Feng Wurong, director of the machinery department of Minsheng (Chongqing) Shipping Branch, Minhou is 129.97 meters long and 16.26 meters wide, with a maximum container capacity of 440 TEUs .

Feng noted the vessel's environmental benefits. By using methanol as fuel, it reduces sulfur oxides and particulate matter emissions. Its low-temperature combustion properties aid in lowering nitrogen oxide emissions. Compared to traditional diesel-powered vessels, methanol clean energy-powered vessels emit significantly less carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and smoke emissions.