UECC "First of Its Kind" LNG Propelled Car Carrier Launched

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Friday April 29, 2016

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) Monday announced that United European Car Carriers (UECC), a jointly owned subsidiary of NYK and Wallenius Lines, held a formal launching ceremony at NACKS shipyard in Nantong, China on April 14 for a dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered car carrier, TBN Auto Eco, which Lloyd's Register (LR) says is the "first of its kind ordered with an LNG fuel propulsion system."

TBN Auto Eco is the first of two newbuild dual-fuel LNG car carriers with 1A Super Finnish/Swedish ice class slated to be delivered to UECC.

The vessel's 3,800 car capacity is said to make it the largest car carrier designed for transiting the Baltic Sea, as well as other ice-prone areas.

"We have all been looking forward to this day to see her on the water for the first time," said Glenn Edvardsen, CEO of UECC.

"It is a privilege to be present here at NACKS today to witness the launching of one of the finest and most technically advanced PCTC vessel ever built."

The vessel is said to be slated to undergo sea and gas trials, which will see the ship will run solely on LNG.

The ship will expected for delivery to UECC on September 28, 2016 in Nantong, China.

Last year, UECC said called LNG as a fuel a "win-win situation" when considered as a long-term solution.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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