China’s Yangzijiang Shipbuilding said it has delivered the first out of two LNG-powered chemical tankers to Sweden’s Tarbit.
The shipbuilder said in a statement that the virtual delivery ceremony for the 13,000-dwt tanker, Bit Wave, took place on April 19.
Built by Jiangsu New Yangzi, a unit of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, the vessel is 129.99 meters long and features two type C LNG tanks.
The yard launched this vessel in September last year, followed by its sister ship, Bit Wind, in November.
Tarbit placed the order for these two LNG-powered vessels at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding in December 2019. VesselsValue data shows the firm paid about $50 million for each ship.
China’s Gloryholder Liquefied Gas Machinery supplied LNG fuel systems for the two tankers. The vessels will run on LNG or LBG but also fuel oil.
Classed by Bureau Veritas, the vessels feature ice class 1A and a cargo capacity of 15,000 cbm, according to Tarbit.
Tarbit previously said it had expected to take delivery of the dual-fuel ships in early 2022.
The shipping firm already owns what it says is the world’s first LNG-powered product and chemical tanker, Bit Viking.
Tarbit and charterer Equinor joined forces in 2009 to convert the 2007-built vessel to use LNG and it has been in operation since 2011, according to Tarbit’s website.