Qingshan Shipyard Delivers Second Eco-Friendly Bulk Carrier to Croatian Owner

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Wednesday February 24, 2016

Chinese shipyard Qingshan Tuesday announced it has delivered the AP Revelin, the second of two bulk carriers to Dubrovnik, Croatia-based company Atlantska Plovidba d.d.

The 38,700 dwt 'ecoship' joins the first-in-class AP Dubrava, delivered July 2015.

The ship is said to allow the Croatian company to meet US Vessel General Permit guidelines.

Each ship was built according to the so-called Green Dolphin 38 design and uses a water-lubricated bearing system from Thordon Bearings.

"Our vessels trade globally, including the USA. With the Vessel General Permit in effect, we felt that the seawater-lubricated system was the perfect solution. It meets the U.S. VGP requirements and is the right choice for the environment," said the company's Vice-President of Ship Management, Marin Matana

Thordon Bearings' Business Development Manager Scott Groves said: "These energy-efficient vessels are ocean-going but will also operate in river entrances where the seawater is highly abrasive.

"But running Thordon's WQP 24/7 means the propeller shaft bearings can be lubricated even when the sea chest is drawing in filthy river water."

The Green Dolphin bulk carrier concept was introduced in 2012 following a joint research project between SDARI, Det Norske Veritas and Wärtsilä.

AP Dubrava, the first vessel in the series, is said to have been operating "perfectly" for six months and is now on duty in the Black Sea

In November of 2015 Ship & Bunker reported that the Qingshan shipyard had been contracted to build two liquified natural gas bulk carriers for Finland-based ESL Shipping Oy for €60 million ($63.65 million).