Cosulich Marine Energy has commenced construction of its fourth methanol-ready bunker tanker at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard in China, with a steel cutting ceremony held on 4 February.

The vessel, named Natalia Cosulich, is the final unit in the group’s series of methanol-ready IMO II bunker tankers. Diana Mok, managing director of Fratelli Cosulich Bunkers (S) Pte Ltd, attended the ceremony.

Cosulich said the programme was developed to support the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-carbon and alternative marine fuels, and to respond to the evolving needs of sustainable bunkering operations.

Natalia Cosulich will be fitted with a phenolic epoxy cargo tank coating, which the company says will ensure chemical resistance and long-term protection of the cargo tanks. The coating is designed to enable the safe and efficient handling of methanol and other specialised cargoes in future operations.

The vessel is being built to environmental and operational standards that will allow it to handle alternative fuels as the marine energy sector evolves, according to the company.

The three sister vessels in the series are already under construction as part of Cosulich’s fleet development programme.