Chinese yard lays keel for UECC’s third hybrid PCTC
A ceremony took place last week to mark the keel-laying of UECC’s third hybrid PCTC at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai (Source: UECC)
A keel-laying ceremony has taken place at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai for United European Car Carriers’ (UECC) third hybrid pure car and truck carrier (PCTC). The three vessels, with capacity for 3,600 car equivalent units, will run on hybrid propulsion power fuelled by LNG.
The 169m-long PCTCs, with ten decks, are designed to provide substantial cargo flexibility. As well as cars and trucks, the ships will have capacity for high-and-heavy consignments and breakbulk cargoes.
The PCTCs demonstrate what can already be achieved today in terms of more sustainable operation. They will exceed the IMO’s target of a 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030. They will also cut overall emissions – including SOx, NOx and particulates – by about 25%, and they will also meet new IMO Tier III NOx regulations, due to enter force later this year.
Batteries, charged at sea by a shaft generator, will raise efficiency through peak shaving whilst also contributing energy for hotel load and auxiliary requirements. The batteries will also provide power for manoeuvring in port.
UECC chief executive, Glenn Edvardsen, commented: “UECC is taking the initiative in the industry to achieve decarbonisation using currently available technologies, rather than waiting for the perfect solution. At the same time, these vessels will be highly cost-competitive due to operational efficiency and reduced fuel costs. No other short-sea company, or deep-sea for that matter, can demonstrate such a sustainable fleet.”
The first of the three ships, launched in April, will be delivered later this year. The other two ships are due to be handed over in 2022.
