China’s Wuhu Shipyard has started building the first out of two LNG-powered bitumen carriers for Continental Bitumen.
To mark the construction start, Wuhu said it has held a steel-cutting ceremony for the hull 2061 on November 15.
Colas Group’s Continental Bitumen ordered the 21,100-cbm bitumen and oil product tankers in January this year.
Wuhu said it would deliver the tankers to Singapore-based Atlantic Narval Shipping.
Sweden’s FKAB designed the BV-classed 169 meters long vessels. The vessels feature dual-fuel propulsion but also a battery pack.
In addition, the main four-stroke DF engine will be capable to run on either LNG or bio-LNG.
The vessels owner Continental Bitumen is an integrated procurement, logistics and distribution firm trading some 1.5 million tons of bitumen per year in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
The two carriers will serve the firm’s network of terminals as well as their sister companies in Asia, Australia and North America, according to Wuhu.
VesselsValue data shows the vessels have a price tag of about $30 million, each. Wuhu should deliver them in 2023.
