Ship owner and operator AET, part of MISC, has taken delivery of its newest vessel, a dual-fuel LNG-powered 300,000 dwt VLCC, which is on long-term charter to Shell Tankers (Singapore).
The vessel, Eagle Vellore, is the first of three VLCCs contracted by AET in March 2021 and was named at the MMHE Pasir Gudang yard in Malaysia.
Zahid Osman, President and CEO of AET said: “Adding another LNG dual-fuel VLCC to our fleet and our ongoing development of zero-emission vessels is consistent with our commitment to deliver more energy with less emissions, supporting customer demand and the world’s need for energy security. I would like to thank Shell for their continued trust and confidence in us, building on our long-term collaboration, as we both look to further expand as leaders in shipping’s energy transition. My appreciation also goes out to Lloyd’s Register, ship builder Hanwha Ocean and colleagues from Eaglestar, MHB and my team members in AET for their respective roles in the safe construction, delivery and naming of the vessel.”
Stacie Pitt, Shell SVP Crude Trading, said: “The delivery of the Eagle Vellore is an important addition to Shell’s fleet of crude tankers. Fleet composition is an essential lever to tackle the decarbonisation challenge, requiring increased investment in dual-fuel capable vessels and efficiency measures. LNG benefits from mature technology and a growing bunkering network which have helped cement its position as the leading alternative fuel today, with bio and synthetic LNG offering a long-term pathway to decarbonisation. While we continue to invest in LNG, with over half of Shell’s crude tanker fleet set to be dual-fuel LNG by the end of the year, we are also developing zero-emissions fuel options to support future decarbonisation of the shipping sector. Continued collaboration is integral to shipping’s energy transition.”
Eagle Vellore’s two sister vessels are currently under construction by Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering) in Geoje, South Korea and due to be delivered later in 2023 on long-term charter to Shell Tankers (Singapore). Both AET and Eaglestar site teams have been working closely together with the yard to ensure the safe delivery. Eaglestar is the appointed ship manager of Eagle Vellore and its two sister vessels.
Classed by Lloyd’s Register, the three ships are designed with optimised hull forms and propellers, wake improvement ducts and rudder bulbs to further improve energy efficiency. Being among the most eco-friendly VLCCs available today, they comply with IMO’s 2025 EEDI Phase III and offer a 99% reduction in SOx, 85% reduction in NOx and 95% lower particulate matter.
