Norway's UECC is investing in a new generation of pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) with hybrid energy solutions.
The vessels will use batteries and LNG to take the company beyond the IMO’s target of 40% carbon reduction by 2030.
The owner, controlled by NYK and Wallenius Lines, has signed a contract to construct two ships at Jiangnan Shipyard in China.
Delivery is set from 2021, with options for two more ships. TradeWinds is told the firm vessels are costing slightly less than $50m each.
“This is a giant leap towards decarbonisation, and unlike anything else that has been done previously in our industry, I believe, and something that we are extremely proud of,” said CEO Glenn Edvardsen.
The vessels will have a length of 169 metres and a car-carrying capacity of 3,600 units on 10 cargo decks, of which two are hoistable.
This will make the vessels extremely flexible enabling them to accommodate a multitude of high and heavy and break-bulk cargoes, UECC said.
The company has a fleet of seven vessels.
