President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Friday that leading shipbuilder, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. will build the world’s first methanol dual-fuelled KAMSARMAX bulk carrier in Cebu.

“The future of shipbuilding is taking shape in the Philippines,” President Marcos said in a statement posted on social media.

“With Japan’s Tsuneishi Holdings, we’re building the world’s first Methanol Dual-Fuelled KAMSARMAX Bulk Carrier at our Cebu facility, a game changer for clean and smart shipping. It’s proof of what we can achieve through innovation, strong partnerships and the talent of the Filipino workforce” the President added.

President Marcos met with leaders from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. on the second day of his working visit in Osaka, Japan.

One of the world’s leading shipbuilders, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. accounts for a significant share of the international market for medium-sized bulk carriers.

The company specializes in building bulk carriers, container ships, and tankers, and operates shipyards in the Philippines, Japan, and China with business offices across Asia and Europe.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is among the first to start research and development of methanol-fueled bulk carriers, a significant step towards having zero emission ships.

A methanol dual-fuelled KAMSARMAX bulk carrier is a large cargo ship that can run on both methanol and conventional fuels, resulting in reduced emissions compared to traditional vessels.

Strengthening its presence in the Philippines, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is entering the fifth phase of expansion of its shipyard in Balamban, Cebu with investments on new capital equipment and enhanced research and development capabilities. | PND