Series of energy-saving heavy-lift vessels for NYK

Japanese shipowner NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers (NBP) said it has signed a contract with China’s Nanjing Jinling Shipyard to build two next-generation energy-saving heavylift vessels of 12,470dwt. They will measure 138.0m length, 23.6m breadth and 8.30m depth. They will be delivered in August 2021 and January 2022 by the yard, which is part of the China Merchants Group.
They will be equipped with two 400-tonne cranes. Individual consignments up to 800 tonnes will be able to be loaded through tandem crane operation. They will have open-hatch type holds, making the vessels efficient for cargo handling and reducing cargo damage. The on-deck consignment length will be about 110m, and the in-hold length will be about 95m. Long-length cargo such as wind-power blades will be able to be loaded on deck or in the hold.
With the cooperation of Japanese marine equipment manufacturers, a significant reduction in fuel consumption has been achieved compared to existing ships of the same type. The vessels will meet EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) Phase 3 requirements that will become effective in 2025, so reducing greenhouse gas emissions in advance of the new requirements.
“The heavy cargo ship market has been sluggish since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, but due to the recent increase in environmental awareness, the cargo movements of wind-power plants and LNG plants have become active, and these ships are expected to meet market needs,” NYK Bulk said.