China’s Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has launched what it says is the world’s first LNG-powered Newcastlemax bulk carrier.
Singapore’s Eastern Pacific Shipping owns the vessel to be named Mount Tourmaline.
CSSC’s SWS said in a statement it floated out the 209,000-dwt ship with a working name H1531 on September 19.
EPS ordered two LNG dual-fuel Newcastlemax bulk carriers at state-owned SWS in December 2019.
The vessels are about 300 meters long, 50 meters wide, and with a designed draft of 18.4 meters, according to the EPS website.
The shipping firm expects to take delivery of Mount Tourmaline in 2022.
EPS has last year signed a deal to charter five LNG-powered Newcastlemax bulk carriers to Australian miner BHP.
Earlier this year, the firm also signed a deal to charter up to six LNG-powered dry bulk carriers to mining giant Rio Tinto.