Norwegian shipping firm UECC has taken delivery of the second of three LNG-powered hybrid PCTCs from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard.
Jiangnan handed over the LNG and battery-powered PCTC during a ceremony held on June 13, according to UECC.
The Norway-based joint venture consisting of NYK and Wallenius Lines will name the vessel Auto Achieve.
It will enter service later this year to boost the European shortsea ro-ro carrier’s effort to decarbonize its fleet.
This newbuild follows the delivery of Auto Advance in November last year. UECC claims this is the world’s first LNG-powered hybrid PCTC.
Jiangnan launched Auto Achieve in August last year, followed by the third sister ship, Auto Aspire, in December.
UECC expects to welcome this third newbuild in its fleet in the middle of 2022.
With an overall length of 169 meters and a width of 28 meters, the three ships each have a car carrying capacity of 3,600 units on 10 cargo decks.
UECC says the LNG battery technology, together with an optimized hull design for better fuel efficiency, would enable these newbuilds to exceed the IMO requirement to cut carbon intensity by 40 percent from 2008 levels within 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.