Utkilen invests in future-oriented fleet

Norwegian shipping company Utkilen AS earlier this year placed an order with Turkish yard ICDAS for four dual-fuel chemical tankers of 6,700dwt. They are scheduled to be delivered from 1Q2024 until 3Q2025.

In addition, four of the existing fleet's newest and most modern ships will become eco-friendlier when they are prepared for LNG fuel during 2022 and 2023. The newbuilding and refit orders will cost over 125 million euros.

The newbuildings will have state-of-the-art multifuel engines, optimal hull shape and can be facilitated for battery and shore power connections, thus be able to carry out port stays completely emission-free. Further use of methanol and ammonia is being tested. Equipment sup¬pliers include Framo, Wärtsilä, Hoglund, Scanjet, Air Products and others.

“We choose to make large investments that will considerably reduce our carbon footprint already in 2022,” said Ms Siri-Anne Mjatvedt, chief executive officer of Utkilen. “There is cur¬rently a lot of talk about hydrogen and ammonia, but for us, who transport chemicals primarily in northern Europe, this technology is not ready yet. We choose to focus on accessible, eco-friendly, and flexible technology.”