China’s Jiangnan Shipyard has launched the second of three LNG-fueled PCTCs featuring battery power for Norwegian shipping firm United European Car Carriers.
UECC said the state-owned yard in Shanghai launched the newbuild on August 16.
To remind, Jiangnan floated out the first vessel in this batch in April and laid the keel for the third ship in May.
The Norway-based joint venture consisting of NYK and Wallenius Lines expects to take delivery of the first hybrid LNG-powered newbuild for short sea trade this autumn after final commissioning.
Moreover, the firm expects the two other vessels to join its fleet in early 2022 and towards the middle of 2022, respectively.
With an overall length of 169 meters and a width of 28 meters, the ships will have a car carrying capacity of 3,600 units on 10 cargo decks.
The shipping company previously said the battery-hybrid solution would take the firm beyond the IMO target of 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.
Also, the new vessels will enlarge the UECC dual-fuel fleet to five ships in total as it already operates two LNG-powered PCTCs but these do not feature battery power.