Dubai’s Tristar Group is stepping up its decarbonisation drive with a new hybrid bunker tanker order in Turkey.
The company has signed up with Akdeniz Shipyard to build the ship for fuel supply operations in the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah, and further out at anchorage.
The 750-cbm tanker will enter service in the first quarter of 2025.
No price has been given for the newbuilding.
The vessel is designed to house diesel generators as a backup to electric power.
The tanker will not have a conventional funnel and the deck space saved will house the large battery.
If generators are operated, they will discharge flue gases under water so that greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere are greatly reduced.
“This innovative design and the vessel’s powertrain will lower carbon emissions significantly, especially when compared to conventional diesel propulsion. With well-planned operations, it is expected that carbon emissions will be reduced by more than 50%,” Tristar said.
Tristar chief executive Eugene Mayne signed the order in Dubai, together with Metin Akbasoglu, owner of Akdeniz Shipyard.
“We are creating another opportunity to pioneer green technology in an environment that has been familiar and fruitful for us, for many years,” Mayne said.
“As a prominent player in the global maritime sector, it is obligatory for Tristar to be willing and able to take the first steps towards any feasible decarbonisation, and create sectoral change,” he explained.
Leading the way on electric power
“As port infrastructure continues to develop in support of using electric barges for coastal operations, we are optimistic this bold move will encourage the local maritime industry to follow suit,” the CEO added.
Tristar’s logistics platform spans road and maritime transportation, specialised warehousing, fuel farm management and commercial aviation refuelling.
The company already has 25 ships listed in its fleet, according to VesselsValue.
These include MR tankers, bulkers and LPG carriers.
