Finland’s UPM has entered into a total of seven long-term charters with two affiliates of the Spliethoff Group, it has emerged.
The deals will see the LNG-fueled vessels ordered in China to fulfill the charters from the Finnish forest products group.
Earlier this week TradeWinds reported that compatriot shipowner Bore has ordered three LNG-powered Ro-Lo vessels at Wuhu Shipyard in China.
It has now emerged that Dutch shipowner Wijnne Barends has ordered four LNG-fuel Lo-Lo vessels at an unnamed shipyard in China.
“This arrangement is a consistent step in UPM’s logistics strategy,” said Lauri Rikala, director, global break bulk shipping, UPM Logistics.
“It will safeguard a sustainable, competitive and reliable shipping solution for our businesses and customers on long term,”
The ice-strengthened vessels, which will transport UPM’s pulp and other forest products, are scheduled to be delivered in 2021 and 2022.
When taken into service, the vessels will employ approximately 60 maritime transportation professionals, the Helsinki-based company said.
“The vessels will be fueled with liquid natural gas (LNG) which results in a significant reduction of CO2emissions compared with commonly used marine gas oil,” Rikala said.
“In addition, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions will decrease by about 85% and 99%, respectively. The emissions of soot particles will also decrease by 99%.”
Michael van den Heuvel, CCO of Spliethoff said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer UPM these next generation sustainable vessels.
“Minimising our environmental footprint has long been a focal point for the Spliethoff Group and the reduction of emissions is a fundamental part of this. The new vessels running on LNG fit well in our continuous drive for greener operations.
