UECC Orders Two Next-Generation LNG PCTCs

Norway-based provider of shortsea RoRo transportation United European Car Carriers (UECC) has decided to order two next-generation pure car truck carriers (PCTCs) in China. 

UECC, jointly owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Wallenius Lines, recently signed a contract with China Ship Building Trading and Jiangnan Shipyard Group for the construction of the vessel pair.

The newbuilding contract also includes options for two additional vessels.

The first vessel is planned for delivery in 2021, according to UECC.

The vessels will be equipped with a battery hybrid LNG solution which will place UECC beyond IMO’s target for a 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.

“This is a giant leap towards decarbonization, and unlike anything else that has been done previously in our industry, I believe, and something that we are extremely proud of,” Glenn Edvardsen, UECC’s CEO, commented.

The vessels will have a length overall of 169 meters, a width of 28 meters and a car carrying capacity of 3,600 units on 10 cargo decks, of which 2 decks are hoistable. This will make the vessels extremely flexible enabling them to accommodate a multitude of high & heavy and break-bulk mafi cargoes, the company said.

In addition, the vessels will have a quarter ramp of 160 metric tons safe working load and a side ramp of 20 metric tons safe working load and will be able to accommodate cargo units up to 5.2 meters high.

To ensure a significant reduction in the environmental footprint, UECC, Jiangnan Shipyard and ship designer Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) will build the PCTCs according to the latest energy efficiency criteria. The vessels will meet the Tier 3 IMO NOx emission limitations coming into force the Baltic and the North Sea from 2021. In respect of the 2021 CO2 reduction regulations, the vessels will also be equipped with dual-fuel LNG engines for main propulsion and auxiliaries.

“UECC’s experience with LNG PCTCs has been very good and there was really no other alternative for us,” Jan Thore Foss, UECC’s Head of Ship Management, said.

To make the vessels even more environmentally friendly and further cut CO2 emissions, the vessels will also be equipped with battery packages.

As more biofuels are set to become commercially available in the future, UECC also aims to use carbon neutral and synthetic fuels as part of our future fuel mix.

“In our strategy, we take a long-term view,” Edvardsen explained, adding that this is a reason why the company has chosen a battery hybrid LNG fuel solution for its newbuilds.