UECC has taken delivery of its third and final newly built multi-fuel LNG battery hybrid pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) as it leads the way in meeting new requirements for low-emission vessel operations with the green transformation of its fleet.
The latest new build, dubbed Auto Aspire, was delivered at China's Jiangnan Shipyard on October 20, and will join sister ships Auto Advance and Auto Achieve, cruising through Northern Europe, following delivery from the pair's fabrication yard over the past year.
“This significant delivery demonstrates the fulfillment of our ambition that we designed a decade ago to bring to the European short sea market a new generation of advanced low-carbon vessels capable of meeting energy efficiency demands under a green shipping regime,” says Glenn, CEO of UECC. Edvardsen.
“This was achieved through an innovation process where a new technological solution was developed together with Jiangnan's in-house ship design team to deliver significant gains in terms of emissions reduction.
“But as the name of the third new build suggests, we still want to do more.”
Compliant with green regulations
With the delivery of the latest vessel, UECC now has five eco-friendly PCTCs and seven charter units in its current fleet of nine vessels, with 80% of current lifting capacity currently meeting IMO's requirement for a 40% reduction in carbon intensity. . From shipping until 2030.
The leading short-sea Ro-Ro carrier has previously spearheaded the world's first dual-fuel LNG PCTCs – Auto Eco and Auto Energy – and piloted the use of biofuels aboard another vessel, Auto Sky, to supply 80% of its annual fuel demand. from alternative fuels by 2030
“Immediate legislative changes are changing the market landscape in favor of green-focused players, and these new structures represent timely and large investments that offer our customers a sustainable shipping solution with both environmental and cost advantages,” Edvardsen adds.
With the implementation of the Energy Tax Directive, which will impose a high tax on fossil fuels supplied in the European Economic Area, from 1 January 2023, the costs of shipowners using traditional marine fuels will increase.
Also, the proposed extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), which will come into effect from 2024, to include shipping will require polluting ship operators to purchase costly carbon allowances that could increase the cost of consuming fossil fuels by up to 50%. On current carbon pricing, according to Daniel Gent, UECC's Director of Energy and Sustainability.
Equipped for low carbon fuels
In addition, new regulatory restrictions on ship emissions come with the IMO's Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), which will come into effect from next year, and FuelEU Maritime, which will be introduced in 2025. ship operations either from reducing the speed or switching to alternative fuels.
Gent points out that once Auto Aspire is launched, it will be on the right track to achieve the UECC's proposed FuelEU Marine target for 2030, a 6% annual reduction in carbon intensity. All three new structures are in line with the IMO's Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), which will come into effect next year.
The Newbuild trio was originally designed to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which could reduce emissions by around 25% compared to other fossil fuels, but could use lower carbon-density drop-in fuels such as bio-LNG. Synthetic LNG as these become more widely available.
Intelligent power optimization
The hybrid battery solution allows for additional emission reductions through peak shaving and the use of battery power to maneuver in ports, thus eliminating harmful NOx and particulate matter discharges near coastal cities.
The ships' energy efficiency is further enhanced by an optimized hull design and controllable pitched propeller, as well as an intelligent energy management system that contributes to fuel economy.
The 169-metre-long Auto Aspire is capable of carrying 10 vehicles on 3600 cargo decks and, according to Edvardsen, together with its sister ships will “strongly put sustainability on the map” in Northern Europe's Ro-Ro trade. .
“We are extremely proud to see all three new structures on the water right now. With the support of our owners NYK and Wallenius Lines, UECC is making the dream of eco-friendly shipping a reality.”
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