United European Car Carriers (UECC) has signed a shipbuilding contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Nanjing for up to four advanced multi-fuel battery hybrid pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) in a major fleet expansion by European sustainable shortsea ro-ro carrier to enhance its environmental performance.
The newbuild order is for two firm vessels scheduled for delivery in 2028, with options for two more units that if exercised would bring the number of eco-friendly newbuilds in the UECC fleet to nine after five similar deliveries within the past decade.
The vessels will represent an further leap in decarbonisation for UECC, with multi-fuel LNG-driven engine technologies to optimise energy efficiency and an aerodynamic hull design, which has been model tested extensively, to minimise fuel consumption, as well as shore power capability and solar panels installed on the top deck.
The latest newbuilds will have a significantly greater cargo capacity than the previous series, with 4500 CEU over 10 decks – of which two are hoistable – together with a quarter stern ramp capacity of 160t and LOA of 190m. They are intended for deployment into UECC’s European short sea shipping liner network for transport of vehicles, high and heavy and other rolling cargoes.
UECC CEO Glenn Edvardsen said: “We are delighted to have finalised this agreement to begin a successful partnership with Jinling, which is a premium yard. We believe this contract will be a solid foundation for a strong and mutually beneficial relationship. 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. This ensures that our operations can be continually optimised 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.”
UECC’s existing multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid vessels, Auto Advance, Auto Achieve and Auto Aspire, currently exceed the IMO’s target for a minimum 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030. The fleet is already running a compliance surplus in relation to FuelEU Maritime set for implementation in 2025.
The Norwegian company has been able to achieve a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions through the use of LNG on these and another two dual-fuel LNG vessels, Auto Eco and Auto Energy, delivered earlier. The recent adoption of liquefied biomethane on its LNG-fuelled vessels has further reduced the carbon footprint of these vessels, while UECC is on track to increase the use of biofuels to 50% of its fleet this year. These latest newbuild investments are said to demonstrate UECC’s intent to remain at the forefront of industry decarbonisation as the company pushes towards its goal of eliminating the use of fossil fuels entirely by 2040.
Edvardsen concluded: “There is still a long way to go to reach net zero. These newbuilds will further strengthen one of the most environment-friendly fleets in the industry and enable us to realize our sustainability ambitions.”
Image: UECC’s latest generation eco-friendly PCTC (source: UECC)
