LNG

European classification society DNV has classed two LNG-powered bulk carriers owned by Maran Dry Management (MDM), the dry bulk shipping arm of Greece’s Angelicoussis Group, and has seen both vessels through to successful bunkering operations.

DNV said the Greek company took delivery of the two Newcastlemax bulk carriers from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Ship Building Co. in China.

The “Ubuntu Unity” was delivered on February 28 and the “Ubuntu Community” on April 18.

“The 190,000-deadweight ton vessels, registered with the Greek flag, are the first dual-fuelled bulk carriers in the Greek market and will sail using LNG,” said the Norway-based class society.

DNV has been at the forefront of the growing LNG fuel market in classing vessels and assisting developers.

“The two Newcastlemax LNG-powered vessels are 299.80 metres long, 47.5 metres wide and 24.70 metres deep, with a design draft of 18.25 metres and a design draft speed of 14 knots,” said DNV.

LNG tanks

They can use both LNG and conventional fuel and are equipped with two Type-C LNG fuel tanks.

DNV explained that the capacity of the LNG tanks means that the vessels could operate for 20,000 nautical miles powered by gas, allowing the vessels to complete two round-trip routes from China to Australia or one round-trip route from China to Brazil.

Both vessels were described by DNV as having a combination of “very advantageous” dual-fuel and hull optimizations and high energy efficiency.

“We are very pleased to have been involved with the charterer, owner, yard and designers from the outset of this project,” said Morten Løvstad, Vice President and Global Business Director for Bulk Carriers at DNV Maritime.

“These highly efficient and innovative vessels, with dual-fuel engines, and an optimized hull design, show MDM’s commitment to meeting environmental regulations not just today but over the long term,” Morten Løvstad.

Designs

Captain Babis Kouvakas, Managing Director that MDM as part of the Angelicoussis Group was committed to embracing sustainability initiatives to optimize its fleet’s environmental performance.

“We are delighted to have collaborated with DNV and SWS on the design and development of these modern and environmentally friendly ships. Both vessels incorporate the latest technology, aiming to reduce carbon emissions,” Kouvakas added.

Ioannis Chiotopoulos, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for South East Europe, the Middle East and Africa at DNV Maritime, said the two vessels marked the high level of cooperation between the Angelicoussis Group and DNV.

“These new vessels clearly show the Group`s commitment to driving sustainability in the bulk segment, and are great examples of how the maritime community is taking up the challenge of reducing our environmental footprint through innovation,” Chiotopoulos explained.

“We thank MDM for their trust and welcome ‘Ubuntu Unity’ and ‘Ubuntu Community’ to DNV class. May they enjoy smooth sailing for many years to come,” Chiotopoulos added.

Both Ubuntu vessels are on charter to global mining company Anglo American.

European maritime classification society DNV said that ship owners placed orders for 16 liquefied natural gas-powered vessels in February 2022, mostly for containerships and car carriers even as LNG bunkering fuel prices continued to increase.

DNV said that compared with January 2022, orders dropped by 24 vessels but January included around 15 vessels from December 2021.

The class society said that according to its data September 2021 still holds the record with 35 orders for LNG-powered vessels.

“Order intake for LNG-fueled newbuilds continues at a high pace, despite increasingly uncertain outlook for gas prices,” said Martin Wold, principal consultant at DNV.

“The total confirmed fleet has now reached 710 ships,” he said.

Wold noted that Seaspan Marine Corp. contributed to extra LNG bunkering supply capacity with their order for two bunkering vessels in China.

Newbuilds

The February count includes orders from companies such as London-based Zodiac Maritime, Eastern Pacific Shipping, also headquartered in the UK, H-Line Shipping of South Korea and Mitsui Osk Lines of Japan.

According to DNV, there are now 269 LNG-powered ships already in operation with LNG-fuelled car and passenger ferries continuing to lead the way with 44 in operation.

The LNG-fuelled fleet also includes 31 oil-chemical tankers, 37 offshore supply vessels, 37 tugs and 32 containerships.

As for vessels on order, LNG-powered containerships account for a big part of the orders with 123 units.

Owners had also ordered 60 LNG-powered crude oil carriers and the fleet stands at 87, and with 60 car carriers rising to 67 and 52 bulk carriers and with new orders taking it to 63. Ferries taking cars and passengers now number 53 on order and in operation.

There are also now 33 cruise liners for the LNG bunkering market, including newbuilds.

These statistics do not include smaller inland vessels and barges that are part of the Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp (ARA) refining hub in northwest Europe.

DNV added that the recent surge in LNG prices appeared not to have dented enthusiasm for LNG-powered tonnage orders.

Data shows that LNG priced in fuel oil terms at the Dutch port of Rotterdam in February 2022 stood at $1,585 per tonne, up from $412 per tonne in February 2021, while Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil at the Dutch port gained $238 per tonnes over the same period to now cost $731 per tonne.