Oslo-based United European Car Carriers (UECC) is further expanding its fleet of pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) with the order of two additional multi-fuel battery hybrid newbuilds at a Chinese shipyard.
The latest newbuilding contract is for a pair of 3,000 ceu-capacity PCTCs to be constructed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Nanjing where the roro carrier already has on order two larger 4,500 ceu units with similar specifications that are due for delivery in 2028.
Developed in cooperation with Shanghai Ship Research & Design Institute, the newbuildings will incorporate multi-fuel LNG-driven engines with propulsion technologies to optimize energy efficiency.
They will also be fitted with shore power capability and an aerodynamic hull design to minimize fuel consumption.
The vessels are scheduled for delivery early 2028.
They will incorporate nine decks with a quarter stern ramp capacity of 160 tons and LOA of 169.5m, giving the PCTCs flexibility to handle a range of vehicles, high & heavy (H&H) and other rolling cargoes on UECC’s European short sea shipping liner network where they will be deployed.
With four newbuilds now on order, UECC will ultimately have a total of nine dual-fuel LNG and multi-fuel battery hybrid PCTCs – delivered from 2016 onwards – that are capable of running on liquefied biomethane.
The latest newbuilds are also designed with adaptability to accommodate future technological innovations and new alternative fuels as these become available, according to UECC’s chief executive officer Glenn Edvardsen.
“These newbuildings represent a significant step forward in safety, efficiency and environmental performance, while redefining cargo-carrying capability in the PCTC segment,” Edvardsen said after signing the newbuilding contract on March 2.
