China has unveiled the Kaito, the world’s first super-large oil tanker powered by methanol, signaling a major step toward greener maritime transport. Measuring 333 meters long, the vessel can transport up to 2.1 million barrels of crude oil.

Built by the Dalian division of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, the Kaito features a dual-fuel engine and a dedicated methanol supply system. This design significantly reduces harmful emissions, cutting carbon dioxide by 92% and sulfur oxide by 99%, compared to conventional fuel oil.

The tanker also incorporates an intelligent platform that streamlines cargo management, engine monitoring, and maintenance operations. These innovations enhance both efficiency and safety, setting a new benchmark for supertankers in the global shipping industry.

The Kaito is expected to operate along trade routes connecting the Middle East and the Far East. Its launch underscores China’s commitment to advancing eco-friendly technologies and could inspire the adoption of cleaner fuels in the shipping sector worldwide.

With this milestone, methanol-powered vessels may become a key element in the industry’s shift toward sustainability, combining large-scale cargo capacity with a dramatically lower environmental footprint.