Oslo-based United European Car Carriers (UECC) has placed an order at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Nanjing for up to four multi-fuel battery hybrid pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) newbuilds.
The short sea roro carrier has signed a deal for two firm vessels scheduled for delivery in 2028, with options for two more units.
If the options for the two more units are exercised would bring the number of “eco-friendly” newbuilds, UECC said, in the UECC fleet to nine after five similar deliveries within the past decade.
The latest newbuilds will have a significantly greater cargo capacity of 4500 ceu, with 10 decks – of which two are hoistable – together with a quarter stern ramp capacity of 160 tons and LOA of 190m.
Once delivered, they will be deployed into UECC’s European short sea shipping liner network for transport of vehicles, high & heavy and other rolling cargoes.
“Future-proofing of newbuilds is a cornerstone of our sustainability strategy. These PCTCs are therefore designed with advanced technologies to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, while being adaptable to accommodate future innovations and regulatory changes,” said UECC’s CEO Glenn Edvardsen after the online signing ceremony.
According to UECC, these vessels will represent another big leap in decarbonization for the company, with multi-fuel LNG-driven engines incorporating propulsion technologies to optimize energy efficiency and an aerodynamic hull design.
“This ensures that our operations can be continually optimized as new fuels and technologies are matured to further enhance the environmental efficiency of the UECC fleet, in line with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements and the needs of our clients,” Edvardsen added.
