Business

UECC takes delivery of second LNG battery hybrid PCTC from Chinese yard

“Auto Achieve” will contribute to reduced emissions in the European shortsea trade where it will join sister vessel “Auto Advance” that was delivered last year.

Published

3 years ago

June 15, 2022

Admin

Norwegian roll-on/roll-off shipping line United European Car Carrier (UECC) on Tuesday (14 June) said its fleet of pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) has been strengthened with a landmark delivery of a second multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid newbuild from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard on 13 June.

The latest PCTC, to be named Auto Achieve, will further contribute to reduced emissions for the environmentally focused ro-ro carrier in the European shortsea trade where it will join sister vessel Auto Advance that was delivered from the Chinese yard late last year.

“UECC has taken a progressive approach to curbing its environmental footprint with these newbuilds that are the first PCTCs to adopt this innovative technological solution, which is based on stringent design criteria for energy efficiency,” said Glenn Edvardsen, CEO of UECC.

The company will have a total of five eco-friendly vessels - over 50% of its owned fleet of nine PCTCs - when the third and final newbuild in the series is delivered later this year, with 80% of its total lifting capacity meeting or exceeding the IMO target to cut carbon intensity by 40% within 2030.

First-mover

The three new multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid vessels will also meet the IMO Tier 3 NOx emissions limitations entering into force in the Baltic Sea and North Sea from 2021 keel lays.

UECC earlier developed the pioneering dual-fuel LNG vessels Auto Eco and Auto Energy that have been meeting the IMO carbon-intensity target during six years of operation.

“No other shortsea or deepsea operator can demonstrate such a sustainable fleet. UECC has been a first-mover for green operations in the car carrier segment and is now benefiting from this proactive strategy by realising significant fuel efficiency gains and emission reductions,” Edvardsen says.

The unique solution combining multi-fuel LNG engines for main propulsion and auxiliaries together with battery hybrid capability was developed by UECC together with DNV and Jiangnan’s in-house ship designer Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute.

Multi-fuel engines enable a carbon dioxide emissions reduction of around 25%, SOx and particulate matter by 90% and NOx by 85% from the use of LNG and are also adaptable for low-carbon fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic fuels as these become available.

Investment for future

The addition of hybrid technology marks another step up in sustainability as battery power can further reduce emissions through peak shaving, in addition to handling partial accommodation load and driving auxiliary equipment, while boosting operating efficiency.

The use of battery power is also beneficial for port calls as it eliminates particulate matter and other harmful emissions that represent a public health risk in coastal cities.

With the expected advent of the EU’s Emissions Trading System for shipping in 2024, UECC’s green fleet will prove a competitive advantage as more pollutive vessels will face higher costs in calling at European ports.

“Our investment in these newbuilds was based on our ethical belief in the need for decarbonisation of shipping to make a difference for the environment, given the industry’s high level of emissions relative to other sectors,” said Edvardsen.

“UECC’s decision has since been vindicated as increasing regulatory and market pressure for green operations have demonstrated the value of this future-oriented investment.”

Photo credit: UECC
Published: 15 June, 2022

LNG Bunkering

China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Bunkering vessel “Hai Yang Shi You 302” supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres of LNG bunker fuel to containership “MSC Adya” at the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port port on 5 January.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

Admin

China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area on Wednesday (8 January) said Ningbo-Zhoushan Port successfully completed its first LNG bunkering operation for the year.

Bunkering vessel Hai Yang Shi You 302 supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres (m3) of LNG bunker fuel to containership MSC Adya at the port on 5 January.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading, the bunker supplier for the operation, successfully obtained the Zhoushan Anchorage LNG bunkering licence in June 2024, extending refuelling services from dock to sea.

The company’s services cover Meishan, Chuanshan, Daxie and other port areas.

As China's first river-sea LNG transport and bunkering ship, Hai Yang Shi You is currently placed permanently at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, providing a variety of bunkering methods such as ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading will continue to expand the scope of bonded LNG bunkering operations and new alternative fuels such as green methanol, ammonia and biofuels in the Zhoushan Area.

Photo credit: Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area
Published: 10 January, 2025

Business

Shandong Port Group bans US-sanctioned tankers from entering its ports

Group has prohibited ports to dock, unload or provide ship services to vessels on the Office of Foreign Control list managed by the US Department, according to a Reuters news report.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

Admin

Shandong Port Group bans US-sanctioned tankers from entering its ports

China’s Shandong Port Group has reportedly blocked tankers affected by US sanctions from entering its ports, according to an exclusive news report by Reuters on Wednesday (8 January).

Citing a notice from the port, which was issued on 6 January and shared to Reuters by traders, the Group has prohibited ports to dock, unload or provide ship services to vessels on the Office of Foreign Control list managed by the US Department.

In another notice released on 7 January, the ban came after sanctioned tanker Eliza II unloaded at Yantai Port in early January.

Shandong Port operates major ports on the east coast of China including Qingdao, Rizhao and Yantai, which are major terminals for importing sanctioned oil.

The traders said the ban could slow imports into China, the world’s largest oil importing nation, and increase shipping costs.

Photo credit: Shandong Port Group
Published: 10 January, 2025

Business

US DoD designates COSCO Shipping and CNOOC as ‘Chinese military companies’

COSCO Shipping has responded that the company and its subsidiaries ‘have consistently adhered to local laws and regulations, maintaining strict compliance in all international operations’.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

Admin

China: Cosco Shipping and bp to explore collaboration into methanol bunker fuel

The US Department of Defense (DoD) on Tuesday (7 January) has added China’s state-owned shipping company COSCO Shipping and two of its subsidiaries to its list of companies for allegedly having links to the Chinese military.

The subsidiaries are COSCO SHIPPING (North America) and COSCO SHIPPING Finance.

DoD released the update to the names of "Chinese military companies" operating directly or indirectly in the United States in accordance with the statutory requirement of Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The Department said it will update the list with additional entities as appropriate.

Updating the Section 1260H list of "Chinese military companies" is an important continuing effort in highlighting and countering the People’s Republic of China's (PRC) Military-Civil Fusion strategy, DOD added.

The list also included other Chinese shipping-related companies such as shipbuilders China Shipbuilding Trading and China State Shipbuilding Corporation, oil company China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), CNOOC China and CNOOC International Trading.

Shipping container manufacturer China International Marine Containers (CIMC) was also included on the list of companies.

In a response to the move, COSCO Shipping said it has noted the recent inclusion of the company and its subsidiaries to the sanctions list.

“COSCO Shipping and its subsidiaries have consistently adhered to local laws and regulations, maintaining strict compliance in all international operations,” it said on its website.

“We remain committed to facilitating global trade and providing high-quality commercial shipping and logistics services to clients worldwide, including agricultural producers, manufacturers, energy firms, retailers, and exporters in the United States.”

“We emphasise that none of the aforementioned companies are ‘Chinese military companies’. We will engage with U.S. authorities to clarify this matter. This designation does not impose sanctions or export controls, and our global operations will continue uninterrupted.”

Photo credit: COSCO Shipping
Published: 10 January, 2025