UECC takes dual-fuel LNG vehicle carrier fleet to five
Norwegian ro-ro shipping line United European Car Carriers (UECC) has taken delivery of its third LNG-battery hybrid car and truck carrier from Jiangnan Shipyard in China.
PHOTO: The Auto Aspire is the last in a series of three newbuild multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTCs delivered from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard. UECC
With the latest delivery, its dual-fuel vehicle carriers count has increased to five.
The new vessel, Auto Aspire, will soon operate in North European trades along with its sister vessels - Auto Advance and Auto Achieve.
The LNG-battery hybrid trio will initially utilise LNG as fuel but can switch to biofuels when these become widely available. The company claims the use of LNG can reduce emissions by almost 25% compared to conventional fossil fuels.
The hybrid battery system will also help in reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
UECC claims to have introduced the world’s first dual-fuel LNG vehicle carriers - Auto Eco and Auto Energy, andhavetrialled biofuels on another vessel, Auto Sky. It aims to meet 80% of its fuel demand from alternative fuels by 2030.
The shipping industry has been increasingly exploring alternative fuels and new technologies to attain net zero emissions by 2050.
Earlier this month, Greek ship owner Minerva Gas has taken delivery of a new LNG carrier with a dual-fuel engine from South Korean shipbuilders Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in Geoje, South Korea.
Meanwhile, Germany-based cruise line Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has successfully concluded trial run of a biofuel blend supplied by Dutch supplier GoodFuels.
By Tuhin Roy
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