China’s Wuhu Shipyard has launched the first of three LNG-powered multi-purpose vessels it is building for Finnish shipping firm Langh Ship.
Wuhu held the launching ceremony for the 7,800-dwt multi-purpose dry cargo vessel, Lovisa, on Monday, it said in a statement.
In November 2021, Wuhu announced this order for the three vessels with Finnish/Swedish 1A ice class.
After that, the shipbuilder started building the first vessel in June 2022.
Classed by DNV and designed by SDARI, the LNG-powered vessels will be 119.90 meters long.
Also, they will feature the 9L34 dual-fuel main engine from Finland’s Wartsila.
Finland-based stainless steel producer Outokumpu chartered these LNG-powered vessels from Langh Ship.
The vessels are set to operate between Outokumpu’s main port, Tornio, Finland, and its continental hub Terneuzen, the Netherlands.
Moreover, they will transport semi-finished and finished steel products to customers and for further processing.
Langh Ship previously said it expects to take delivery of the first vessel in mid-2023, followed by the other two at close intervals.