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A keel-laying ceremony was held for the third in a series of LNG battery-powered hybrid (PCTC) car carriers and trucks being built for United European Car Carriers (UECC).
The ceremony at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, China saw the laying of the keel of the designated H2665 hull as part of an ambitious new build program in which UECC is developing the very first vessels running on hybrid propulsion powered by LNG.
“ When they hit the water, these state-of-the-art vessels will represent a sea change for the industry by using available LNG technology to dramatically reduce emissions from short sea shipping in Europe, ” said Glenn Edvardsen, Director General of UECC.
As previously reported, the first new build is expected to be delivered later this year after being launched at the yard last month, with the second and third ships due for delivery in the first half of 2022. The 169-meter-long PCTCs have one car. load capacity of 3600 units on 10 loading bridges.
According to Edvardsen, the ships represent “a giant leap towards decarbonisation”, as the use of a hybrid battery solution will allow the UECC to exceed the IMO target of a 40% reduction in l Carbon intensity compared to 2008 levels by 2030. All three ships will also meet the IMO Tier 3 NOx Emission Limits in the Baltic Sea and North Sea Coming into Force.
Battery power on new vessels will improve operational efficiency and further reduce emissions through reduced peaks, in addition to managing accommodation part-load and operating ancillary equipment. This, the UECC said, will allow them to recharge batteries at sea using a shaft generator to use battery power to maneuver in ports in accordance with port requirements to reduce emissions.
Carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by around 25%, SOx and particulates by 90% and NOx by 85% through the use of LNG. In addition, ships will be fitted with dual-fuel engines for the main propulsion and auxiliaries which will also be able to use carbon-neutral and synthetic alternative fuels as these become commercially available in the future.
“UECC is taking the lead in the industry to achieve decarbonization using currently available technologies, rather than waiting for the perfect solution,†said Edvardsen. “At the same time, these ships will be very competitive due to their operational efficiency and reduced fuel costs.”
The addition of the three new builds will give UECC five environmentally friendly vessels – including two bi-fuel LNG-fueled PCTCs already on the water – on its fleet of 17 vessels.
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