UECC, Bygg nr. H2663, H2664 og H2665 ved China Ship Building Trading Co., Ltd & Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co. Ltd., PCTC "Auto Advance/Achieve/Aspire"

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UECC invest in new generation PCTC´s

Battery Hybrid LNG Solution

United European Car Carriers (UECC), jointly owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Wallenius Lines, has signed a contract to construct two new generation PCTC with China Ship Building Trading Co., Ltd and Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co. Ltd. The newbuilding contract also has options for two additional vessels, and the first vessel is planned for delivery in 2021.

The vessels will be equipped with a Battery Hybrid LNG Solution which will place UECC beyond IMO’s target for a 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.

“This is a giant leap towards decarbonization, and unlike anything else that has been done previously in our industry, I believe, and something that we are extremely proud of” stated UECC’s CEO, Glenn Edvardsen.

The vessels will have a length overall of 169 meters, a width of 28 meters and a car carrying capacity of 3 600 units on 10 cargo decks, of which 2 decks are hoistable. This will make the vessels extremely flexible enabling them to accommodate a multitude of high & heavy and break-bulk mafi cargoes, which are cargo segments, in addition to the cars, that UECC has built a significant portfolio of over the years. The vessels will have a quarter ramp of 160 metric tons safe working load and a side ramp of 20 metric tons safe working load and can accommodate cargo units up to 5.2 meters high.

To ensure a significant reduction in the environmental footprint, UECC, Jiangnan Shipyard and leading ship Designer Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) will build the PCTCs according to some of the most innovative and the latest energy efficiency criteria. The vessels will meet the Tier 3 IMO NOx emission limitations coming into force the Baltic and the North Sea from 2021. In respect of the 2021 CO2 reduction regulations, the vessels will also be equipped with dual-fuel LNG engines for main propulsion and auxiliaries.

"The environment is at the top of UECC's agenda” said Edvardsen. UECC’s Head of Ship Management, Jan Thore Foss, added “UECC's experience with LNG PCTCs has been very good and there was really no other alternative for us” and added “the LNG solution will reduce the CO2 emission by about 25 percent”.

To make the vessels even more environmentally friendly and to cut CO2 emissions further, the vessels will also be equipped with battery packages. "We are investing in the future," underlines Edvardsen” and added "Our solution will take us beyond IMO’s target for a 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030”.

As more bio fuels are set to become commercially available in the future, UECC aims to also use carbon neutral and synthetic fuels as part of our future fuel mix. "In our strategy we take a long-term view," said Edvardsen, “and that's why we go for a battery hybrid LNG fuel solution on our new buildings”.

UECC’s CEO, Glenn Edvardsen, concluded with the following statement: “UECC has again taken leadership, and responded to future environmental regulations and market demands, with technological innovation, quality and sustainability and we will continue to do so. Furthermore, we will exceed current and future environmental regulations”.

Kilde: UECC

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Illustrasjon: via UECC
 
UECC goes for third battery hybrid LNG PCTC

Close on the heels of their call for two new battery hybrid LNG PCTCs, UECC has confirmed an option with China Ship Building Trading Co., Ltd and Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co. Ltd. for a third battery hybrid LNG vessel, this time slated for UECC’s Atlantic short sea trade.

“This order is another step in our commitment to cleaner shipping,” says Glenn Edvardsen, CEO of UECC. “Our experience with LNG duel-fuel vessels has been good, and we want to keep moving forward to expand our sustainable fleet.”

Already winners, UECC’s two first ECO-class vessels grabbed first and second place in Bremenports’ Greenports Award 2018 for being cleanest ships calling at one of Europe's busiest ports. With the addition of battery hybrid technology, the three new ships raise the environmental protection bar even further.

Taking smart new steps
The new orders will push the UECC duel-fuel LNG fleet to five vessels. “When our third battery hybrid LNG PCTC is delivered in 2022, it ushers in a new era for UECC and short sea shipping in Europe,” says Edvardsen. “That will give us a total of five eco-friendly vessels in our fleet. This represents more than 50% of the UECC owned fleet, and no other short sea company, or deep sea for that matter, can demonstrate such a sustainable fleet.”

Edvardsen acknowledges the importance of experience in the decision to invest in battery hybrid LNG. “A ship is a significant and long-term investment. We wanted to expand the use of new technologies to meet or exceed future sustainability requirements, and we feel our choice with the first two LNG vessels has been justified over nearly three years of operation. This experience gives us the confidence to move forward with even more eco-friendly technologies.”

The new battery-hybrid solution will take UECC beyond the IMO target of 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030. The three vessels will also meet the IMO Tier 3 NOx emissions limitations entering into force in the Baltic and North Sea from 2021 keel lays.

Electric power saves fuel, reduces emissions
“Batteries are a key step toward next generation sustainability,” Edvardsen observes. Battery power on the new vessels will improve operational efficiency and further reduce emissions through peak shaving, in addition to handling partial accommodation load and driving auxiliary equipment. “It also provides an option for reducing emissions while in port, and that is becoming more important for many cities,” he notes.

“UECC’s parent companies, NYK and Wallenius Lines, have sustainability in their DNA,” Glenn Edvardsen concludes. “It is an honor to be able to take UECC to the next level of clean shipping with their support.”
 
Steel cutting for UECC’s first Battery Hybrid LNG Powered PCTC

As reported earlier, United European Car Carriers (UECC), jointly owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Wallenius Lines, has signed a contract to construct three new generation PCTC with China Ship Building Trading Co., Ltd and Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co. Ltd.

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(Artistic impression of the vessels)

Representatives from UECC, NYK, Japan Marine Science, MUFG Bank, DNV-GL, SDARI, CSSC and CSTC gathered at the Jiangnan Shipyard in in Shanghai on the 8th of January 2020 to witness and celebrate the steel cutting ceremony for UECC’s first Battery Hybrid LNG Powered PCTC.

"This steel cutting ceremony marks a very special moment of pride, joy and emotion for all personnel at UECC, both on land as well at sea. I have no doubt that this day will be seen as a significant milestone in our UECC’s history by the generation of people which follow. I therefore, feel specially privileged, to be present here at Jiangnan today to witness the historic inauguration of the work on our first of the three LNG fuelled /Battery Hybrid Solution vessels, by various distinguished personalities" stated UECC’s CEO, Glenn Edvardsen.

Mr. Edvardsen added "LNG /Battery/Hybrid installation will be a pioneering design. Needless to say this requires a highly dedicated group of Engineers along with great teamwork and cooperation by all. And I am pleased to say that I am very impressed with the teamwork that has been shown by all parties so far and which is crucial in the time to come, in order to be able to efficiently solve issues together as a team. As active members of society, we all have a shared obligation to do our part to create a greener, more sustainable world and hope you all really appreciate the exciting step UECC is taking towards greener and more environmentally friendly shipping.

Mr. Huang, President of the Jiangnan Shipyard Group, concluded "As the first dual-fuel + battery-powered hybrid ship in the world, the newly started 3600 CEU PCTC can meet the requirements of the full range while truly achieving ultra-low emissions and it is so advanced that its speed, oil consummation and environment protection level has walked at the forefront of the world. With the smooth steel-cutting today, Jiangnan Shipyard will also promote its brand power and influence in the PCTC construction market, and UECC will consolidate its leading position in global automobile transportation field".
 
Steel cutting for UECC’s second LNG Battery Hybrid Powered PCTC

As previously reported, European Car Carriers (UECC), jointly owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Wallenius Lines, signed a contract to construct three new generation PCTC with China Ship Building Trading Co., Ltd and Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co. Ltd.

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The steel cutting ceremony for UECC’s second LNG Battery Hybrid powered PCTC took place at Jiangnan Shipyard,Shanghai, China on 20th of May 2020. Given the current Covid-19 crises, the official Steel Cutting Ceremony was somewhat subdued. However, UECC’s CEO Glenn Edvardsen, stated “It pleases me tremendously that UECC is able to push ahead with this significant fleet renewal program, despite all the Covid-19 related challenges facing our industry”.

As Mr. Edvardsen has stated before, “the LNG /Battery/Hybrid installation will be a pioneering design and will take UECC beyond the IMO target of 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.” He concluded that “UECC’s parent companies, NYK and Wallenius Lines, have sustainability in their DNA and It is an honour to be able to take UECC to the next level of clean shipping with their support.”
 
UECC floats first of three LNG battery hybrid PCTCs

In a major step toward achieving sustainable shipping, the first of three LNG battery hybrid PCTCs commissioned by United European Car Carriers (UECC) was launched in an official ceremony Monday 12 April at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. The remaining two vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2022.

“With the launch of our first LNG battery hybrid PCTC, we are ushering in a new era for UECC and short sea shipping in Europe,” says Glenn Edvardsen, CEO in UECC. “These ships prove that decarbonization of the industry is possible using currently available technologies.”

The new UECC PCTCs are built to the latest energy efficiency criteria, meeting the Tier 3 IMO NOx emission limitations in place for the Baltic and North Sea. All three will be equipped with battery hybrid solutions that will enable UECC to far exceed the IMO’s target of 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.

“The introduction of batteries is an excellent demonstration of our deepening commitment to next-generation sustainability,” Edvardsen says. Battery power on the new vessels will improve operational efficiency and further reduce emissions through peak shaving, in addition to handling partial accommodation load and driving auxiliary equipment. “Battery power also provides an option for reducing emissions while in port, a feature that more and more cities are demanding,” he notes.

The ships are also equipped with dual-fuel LNG engines for main propulsion and auxiliaries. As more biofuels are set to become commercially available in the future, UECC plans to increase the proportion of carbon neutral and synthetic fuels in their future fuel mix. "We aim to be in front of the move to sustainability in shipping," says Edvardsen. “This is the motivation behind our decision to invest in dual-fuel solutions for these newbuildings.”

With a length overall of 169 meters, a width of 28 meters and a car carrying capacity of 3,600 units on 10 cargo decks, the new vessels are highly flexible, enabling them to accommodate a wide range of high & heavy and break-bulk cargoes, in addition to cars and trucks.

“UECC’s parent companies, NYK and Wallenius Lines, have sustainability in their DNA,” Edvardsen states. “We are proud to be able to take UECC to the next level of sustainable shipping with their support.


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On the water: UECC’s second LNG battery hybrid PCTC​

UECC’s ambitious effort to upgrade its fleet with low-carbon vessels remains on track with the launch this week of the second in a series of three LNG battery hybrid newbuilds at a Chinese yard.

The latest newbuild pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) was launched at Jiangnan Shipyard just over a year after the first steel was cut as the yard and shipowner have overcome manpower and logistical challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain the delivery schedule.

Hull number H2664 hit the water in a launch ceremony at the Shanghai yard on 16 August and is due for final delivery along with the third vessel in the first half of 2022, while the first unit launched earlier this year is set to be delivered later this autumn after final commissioning.

Front-runner
UECC has been a front-runner in adapting hybrid technology for the car carrier shipping segment in pursuit of lower CO2 emissions, building on a pair of pioneering dual-fuel LNG-powered PCTCs that have now been in commercial operation for the past four years.

“The intention was to further improve on these two E-class vessels, Auto Eco and Auto Energy, by rationalising fuel consumption through the use of hybrid battery power,” explains head of ship management and newbuilding Jan Thore Foss.

He says the yard “responded to the challenge” by employing Jiangnan Shipyard Group’s internal design firm to carry out engineering work to adapt the hybrid technology, supplied by WE Tech of Finland, for the ground-breaking newbuild project.

Technical challenges
“There have been a number of technical challenges to overcome, such as streamlining the shaft generator for a dual-fuel engine and determining whether the bow thruster could run on battery power when entering and leaving port,” Foss adds.

The shaft generator enables the vessel to recharge its batteries while at sea so it can run the bow thruster in/out of port solely on battery power, contributing to reduced emissions in line with port authority requirements.

Battery power on the new vessels will improve operational efficiency and further reduce emissions through peak shaving, in addition to handling partial accommodation load and driving auxiliary equipment.

The use of a battery hybrid solution will enable UECC to exceed the IMO target to reduce carbon intensity by 40% from 2008 levels within 2030.

Emissions of carbon dioxide will be reduced by around 25%, SOx and particulate matter by 90% and NOx by 85% from the use of LNG, while the newbuilds will also meet the IMO’s Tier 3 NOx emissions limitations for the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

Pandemic issues
Foss says the newbuild programme remains on schedule despite significant logistical hurdles due to lockdown and travel restrictions that have led to difficulties in procuring equipment from global suppliers and hit manpower capacity for construction work, which requires hundreds of workers.

“The newbuilds were contracted in 2019 just before the pandemic broke out so fortunately we had equipment vendors in place, but the main challenge has been getting service engineers into China,” he says.

“We were initially forced to set up a temporary site team comprising solely Chinese nationals to get the newbuild project moving as flights into the country were cancelled. It has also been necessary to use digital tools such as conferencing apps to supervise the project remotely.


“The yard has though performed exceptionally well to re-allocate labour resources to maintain progress on the project.”

Once delivered, the newbuild trio will give UECC five eco-friendly PCTCs out of its 17-vessel fleet as its focus on sustainable operations is set to give the leading shortsea carrier a commercial edge in a green shipping future.

The second of UECC’s newbuild LNG battery PCTCs on the water after being launched this week at Jiangnan Shipyard.
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Credit: UECC
 

Debut delivery: World’s first dual-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTC to start trading​

UECC has taken delivery of the world’s first dual-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTC that is set to provide significant gains in energy efficiency and emissions reduction as it enters service this year to boost the leading European shortsea ro-ro carrier’s bold effort to decarbonise its fleet.

The vessel, to be named Auto Advance, is the first in a series of three newbuild pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) - measuring 169 by 28 metres and with capacity for 3600 vehicles on 10 cargo decks – that are being delivered from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard. The remaining two sister vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2022.

“Having brought into operation the first-ever dual-fuel LNG PCTCs five years ago, UECC is now taking delivery of the first of three of the world’s first dual-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTC to be built. This is another big step forward in eco-friendly ship operations that shows we walk the talk,” says UECC chief executive Glenn Edvardsen.

“This is also a technological milestone as the successful performance of the vessel in sea trials has vindicated our confidence in the viability of this innovative solution.”

UECC has taken the lead in the PCTC segment by developing the pioneering design, together with DNV and Jiangnan’s in-house ship designer Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute, to incorporate proven technology in a new configuration geared to enhancing operational and environmental performance.

Technology puzzle
LNG battery hybrid technology, together with an optimised hull design for better fuel efficiency, will enable these newbuilds to exceed the IMO requirement to cut carbon intensity by 40% from 2008 levels within 2030.

Emissions of carbon dioxide will be reduced by around 25%, SOx and particulate matter by 90% and NOx by 85% from the use of LNG, while the newbuilds will also meet the IMO’s Tier 3 NOx emissions limitations for the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

Dual-fuel engine technology has now been combined with an energy storage system (ESS), supplied by Finland’s WE Tech, incorporating a battery package from Corvus Energy that will be charged by a permanent magnet, directly driven shaft generator or dual-fuelled generators.

The ESS, which will provide power to the main switchboard with a DC link for power distribution, will enable peak shaving for the main engine and auxiliaries to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, with a controllable pitch propeller, bulb rudder and dual-fuel boiler also part of the power system.

These vessels will require only two auxiliary dual-fuel gensets, in addition to the main engine, as the ESS and shaft generator provide a spinning reserve to eliminate the need for another genset that would normally be required.

Smart energy management

Battery capacity is based on detailed modelling of the vessels’ expected operational profile to economise on installation, with payback time for the ESS estimated at only five years, according to UECC’s head of ship management and newbuilding Jan Thore Foss.

The hybrid solution, which has gained DNV’s Battery Safety notation, will be steered by an intelligent energy management system, supplied by Kongsberg Maritime, that will serve as a control system for overall energy production and consumption – essentially the ‘energy brain’ of the vessel.

Batteries can be most efficiently charged while at sea using the shaft generator so that they are fully charged when entering port, enabling the vessel to manoeuvre in port using bow thrusters driven solely by battery power that can also supply the ship’s other energy needs while it is docked.

"This will effectively eliminate emissions while in port and these vessels are also equipped to connect to green power from shore that is becoming increasingly available in order to reduce harmful emissions of NOx, SOx and particulate matter,” Foss says.

Operational flexibility can deliver significant fuel efficiency gains and Foss believes this, combined with a low-emissions profile, will give the vessels an advantage in the European market as EU plans to include shipping in the Emissions Trading System are set to hike costs for pollutive vessels.

Fuel optionality
UECC’s energy and sustainability manager Daniel Gent says: “LNG is presently the most environment-friendly and widely available low-carbon fuel, with an estimated emissions reduction of around 25% compared with other fossil fuels.

“We are therefore taking advantage of the best available fuel solution now and combining this with hybrid technology to further cut emissions. But we are not locked into LNG and these dual-fuel engines are also ready to use alternative low-emission fuels such as biofuel, bio-LNG and synthetic LNG as these become commercially and technically viable.”

Edvardsen claims that UECC, jointly owned by green-focused players NYK and Wallenius Lines, is presently the only shipping company in its regional market segment that is investing in sustainable newbuilds.

“UECC has already achieved a substantial reduction in the carbon intensity of its fleet, but we aspire to do much more,” he concludes.

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Credit: UECC
 

Launch party: third newbuild dual-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTC makes New Year splash​


UECC has celebrated the New Year in fitting style with the launch of the third and final newbuild in a series of advanced dual-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTCs that are being rolled out in rapid succession at China’s Jiangnan Shipyard.

The landmark launch of hull number H2665 on 28 December comes only seven months after the keel-laying ceremony for the vessel and follows the recent final delivery of the first newbuild named Auto Advance, with the second and third vessels set to be delivered in the first half of this year.

“We are rapidly building up our low-emission fleet to become the leading eco-friendly shortsea carrier in Europe through the addition of these newbuilds that will, alongside the use of alternative fuels on our existing vessels, drastically reduce UECC’s environmental footprint,” says chief executive Glenn Edvardsen.

‘Monumental efforts’
He also paid tribute to the “monumental efforts” of Jiangnan Shipyard in overcoming logistical supply chain and manpower capacity obstacles caused largely by the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the newbuilding programme remains on schedule with the latest vessel launch.

“The first of these ground-breaking newbuilds is already in commercial operation and UECC’s ambition to take our fleet to the next level of environmental performance by mid-2022 remains firmly on track thanks to the yard’s adaptability, expertise and productivity,” Edvardsen adds.

The second of the newbuilds is now in the final stages of construction after being launched at the yard last summer and, when all three are delivered, UECC will have a total of five eco-friendly PCTCs out of its owned fleet of nine vessels - also including two dual-fuel LNG units that have been in operation for the past five years.

Innovative solution
The innovative use of battery hybrid technology, combined with a dual-fuel solution, on the latest newbuilds will enable these vessels to exceed the IMO’s goal to cut carbon intensity by 40% within 2030 compared with 2008 levels.

Emissions of carbon dioxide will be reduced by around 25%, SOx and particulate matter by 90% and NOx by 85% from the use of LNG, while the newbuilds will also meet the IMO’s Tier 3 NOx emissions limitations for the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

As well as pioneering the use of this advanced technological solution together with Jiangnan, UECC has experimented with low-carbon fuels such as biofuel on its existing PCTC Autosky that has resulted in a 58% reduction in carbon intensity over a 12-month period.

The European shortsea ro-ro carrier is also looking to extend the use of the fuel to other vessels based on possible trial cargoes backed by customers, according to energy and sustainability manager Daniel Gent.

Exceeding emissions target
With the addition of the newbuilds, UECC will have 80% of its total lifting capacity meeting or exceeding the IMO target already this year as it aims to achieve an annual cut of 34,500 tonnes in CO2 emissions by 2025, compared with 18,700 tonnes in 2020 and 277 tonnes in 2016.

“We are taking advantage of available dual-fuel and hybrid technology with these newbuilds while proactively adopting existing low-carbon fuels on our operational vessels to make a difference for the environment right now,” Edvardsen says.

“With the likely implementation of the EU’s Emissions Trading System for shipping from 2023, we believe these efforts will also represent a competitive advantage for UECC going forward amid increasing demands from customers, regulators and financial institutions for green operations.”

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Credit: UECC
 

Green growth: UECC takes delivery of second multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTC​

UECC has further strengthened its sustainable fleet of pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) with the landmark delivery of a second multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid newbuild from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard 13.06.2022.

The latest PCTC, to be named Auto Achieve, will further contribute to reduced emissions for the environmentally focused ro-ro carrier in the European shortsea trade where it will join sister vessel Auto Advance that was delivered from the Chinese yard late last year.

“UECC has taken a progressive approach to curbing its environmental footprint with these newbuilds that are the first PCTCs to adopt this innovative technological solution, which is based on stringent design criteria for energy efficiency,” says Glenn Edvardsen, CEO of UECC.

The company will have a total of five eco-friendly vessels - over 50% of its owned fleet of nine PCTCs - when the third and final newbuild in the series is delivered later this year, with 80% of its total lifting capacity meeting or exceeding the IMO target to cut carbon intensity by 40% within 2030.

First-mover
The three new multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid vessels will also meet the IMO Tier 3 NOx emissions limitations entering into force in the Baltic Sea and North Sea from 2021 keel lays.

UECC earlier developed the pioneering dual-fuel LNG vessels Auto Eco and Auto Energy that have been meeting the IMO carbon-intensity target during six years of operation.

“No other shortsea or deepsea operator can demonstrate such a sustainable fleet. UECC has been a first-mover for green operations in the car carrier segment and is now benefiting from this proactive strategy by realising significant fuel efficiency gains and emission reductions,” Edvardsen says.

The unique solution combining multi-fuel LNG engines for main propulsion and auxiliaries together with battery hybrid capability was developed by UECC together with DNV and Jiangnan’s in-house ship designer Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute.

Multi-fuel engines enable a carbon dioxide emissions reduction of around 25%, SOx and particulate matter by 90% and NOx by 85% from the use of LNG and are also adaptable for low-carbon fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic fuels as these become available.

Investment for future
The addition of hybrid technology marks another step up in sustainability as battery power can further reduce emissions through peak shaving, in addition to handling partial accommodation load and driving auxiliary equipment, while boosting operating efficiency.

The use of battery power is also beneficial for port calls as it eliminates particulate matter and other harmful emissions that represent a public health risk in coastal cities.

With the expected advent of the EU’s Emissions Trading System for shipping in 2024, UECC’s green fleet will prove a competitive advantage as more pollutive vessels will face higher costs in calling at European ports.

“Our investment in these newbuilds was based on our ethical belief in the need for decarbonisation of shipping to make a difference for the environment, given the industry’s high level of emissions relative to other sectors,” Edvardsen says.

“UECC’s decision has since been vindicated as increasing regulatory and market pressure for green operations have demonstrated the value of this future-oriented investment.”

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Credit: UECC
 
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