The first of three LNG battery hybrid PCTCs (pure car truck carriers) commissioned by United European Car Carriers (UECC) was launched in a ceremony last week 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,” said Glenn Edvardsen, CEO of UECC. “These ships prove that decarbonization of the industry is possible using currently available technologies.”

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UECC’s PCTCs are built to meet the Tier 3 IMO NOX  emission limitations in place for the Baltic Sea and North Sea. All three will be equipped with battery hybrid solutions that UECC says will allow it to exceed the IMO’s target of a 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.

“The introduction of batteries is an excellent demonstration of our deepening commitment to next-generation sustainability,” Edvardsen added. The company hopes that hybridization 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,” noted Edvardsen.

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 its future fuel mix. “We aim to be in front of the move to sustainability in shipping,” said Edvardsen. “This is the motivation behind our decision to invest in dual-fuel solutions for these newbuilds.”