Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc. has launched SC 443, the world’s first methanol-powered Kamsarmax bulk carrier built at its shipbuilding facility in West Cebu Estate in Balamban- marking a breakthrough for Filipino shipbuilding on the global stage.
Tsuneishi said in a statement that SC-443 is an 81,200-metric ton, dual-fuel Methanol-Powered Kamsarmax Bulk Carrier bound for East Asia. It was launched on July 17, 2025.
“We remain firmly committed to our core principles of Safety, Stability, and Sustainability”, said Yasuaki Seto, President of Tsuneishi Heavy Industries. “Through ongoing innovation and strong sense of environmental responsibility, we aim to lead the industry, deliver greater value to our clients, and drive positive change across the world.”
As the first vessel of its kind in the world, this milestone underscores Tsuneishi’s commitment to pioneering cleaner shipping solutions and reinforces the Philippines’ role in shaping the future of maritime manufacturing, Seto said.
Assembled in April 2025 at West Cebu Estate, SC-443 is scheduled for deployment by January 2026. It is engineered to significantly reduce emissions—cutting carbon dioxide (CO₂) by 10 percent, nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) by 80 percent, and sulfur oxides (SOₓ) by 99 percent compared to conventional models. Methanol has emerged as a promising alternative fuel, aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships by at least 40 percent by 2030.
With more than three decades of operations at West Cebu Estate, Tsuneishi has launched nearly 400 ships and delivered over 370 vessels to destinations across the globe. Its enduring success is a powerful testament to Filipino craftsmanship—enabled by the estate’s robust infrastructure and integrated support ecosystem developed by Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Economic Estates.
As the Philippines’ first techglomerate, the Aboitiz Group is transforming industry through innovation. At West Cebu Estate—developed by Aboitiz InfraCapital—Tsuneishi Heavy Industries anchors a thriving maritime hub that has helped position the Philippines as the world’s 4th largest shipbuilder by gross tonnage. With its strategic location and smart infrastructure, the estate drives economic growth and exemplifies Aboitiz’s vision for smart, sustainable industrial development.
Spanning over 2,000 hectares of developed land, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates continues to drive positive economic impact, having generated 100,000 jobs, attracted over PHP167.4 billion in investments, and facilitated USD54.75 billion in exports to date—further demonstrating the Philippines’ competitive advantage in Southeast Asia.
