UECC launches third LNG-battery hybrid vehicle carrier

Norwegian vehicle carrier operator UECC launched its third dual-fuel LNG-battery hybrid pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) in December.

PHOTO: UECC’s third newbuild dual-fuel battery hybrid PCTC set to be launched onto the water at Jiangnan Shipyard in China. Jiangnan Shipyard

The second of this series of newbuilds, and both are scheduled for delivery to UECC this year. This will take UECC’s total count of eco-friendly PCTCs to five, it says.

UECC says hybrid battery propulsion will help the vessels cut carbon intensity by more than 40% by 2030 compared to 2008 vessel emission levels, which is beyond the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) target.

The company is eyeing an annual 34,500 mt cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2025, up from 18,700 mt last year.

When running on LNG, the vessels will meet the IMO’s Tier 3 NOx emission cap in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. They will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by a quarter and sulphur oxide and particulate matter by 90%, compared to oil-based bunker fuels, UECC says.