UECC's EU ETS Solution Brings Clarity to Emission Costs
Cargo owners seeking to determine their Scope 3 emission liabilities from the logistics chain must contend with multiple calculation methods from different shipping lines that will affect their costs exposure to the EU ETS for shipping. To resolve this conundrum for its clients, pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) owner and operator UECC has adopted a standardised methodology based on an existing and trusted industry framework.The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), set to be phased in for shipping from January 1…
AI-Based Semi-Autonomous Voyage Planning System Tested
Yara Marine Technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) application developers Molflow, Chalmers University of Technology and social science specialists from Halmstad University and Gothenburg University have collaborated over three years to develop and trial an AI-based semi-autonomous voyage planning system.Initiated in August 2020, the Via Kaizen project explores how AI and machine learning can enable more energy-efficient voyage planning for ship operators. The project demonstrated…
UECC Trials Biofuels
Ship operator United European Car Carriers (UECC) has bunkered sustainable biofuel for the first time in collaboration with GoodFuels and vessel owner NYK.GoodFuels delivered the B30 blend, 470 tonnes of VLSFO and sustainable biofuel, to time-chartered Emerald Leader in the port of Vlissingen in May. NYK, joint owner of UECC, is working closely with UECC to monitor the biofuel's performance.The use of sustainable biofuel on the Emerald Leader, which operates on UECC's North South Trade connecting the Eastern Mediterranean with Northern Europe…
Third Multi-fuel Car Carrier Delivered to UECC
Norwegian shipping line UECC announced it has taken delivery of its third and final newbuild multi-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) battery hybrid pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) as the company works toward meeting new requirements for low-emission ship operations with the green transformation of its fleet.The latest newbuild, to be named Auto Aspire, was delivered on October 20 at China’s Jiangnan Shipyard and will soon join sister vessels Auto Advance and Auto Achieve plying…
UECC's Third Newbuild Dual-fuel LNG Battery Hybrid PCTC Launched
Norwegian shipping company UECC said its third and final newbuild in a series of advanced dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) battery hybrid pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) has been launched at China’s Jiangnan Shipyard.The December 28 launch comes seven months after the keel-laying ceremony for the vessel and follows the recent final delivery of the first newbuild named Auto Advance, with the second and third vessels set to be delivered in the first half of this year.“We are rapidly building up our low-emission fleet to become the leading eco-friendly shortsea carrier in Europe through t
Shipbuilding: UECC Takes Delivery of Auto Advance, a “Dual-fuel LNG Battery Hybrid PCTC”
While many companies talk about decarbonization, United European Car Carrier (UECC) acts, as proven by its recent acceptance of the world’s first dual-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTC, Auto Advance, delivered from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard and Maritime Reporter & Engineering News’ 2021 Great Ship of the Year.The ship is the first in a series of three newbuild pure car and truck carriers (PCTC), measuring 169 by 28 meters with capacity for 3600 vehicles on 10 cargo decks. The remaining…
UECC’s Edvardsen on Decarbonization: “There is no perfect solution, start the journey now”
UECC has emerged as a leader in regards to decarbonization, with an order earlier this year for its third LNG battery/hybrid Pure Car/Truck Carrier (PCTC). Glenn Edvardsen, CEO, discusses the strategy and the future for this Oslo-based ship owner.Glenn, to start, can you give a by-the-numbers overview of UECC?United European Car Carrier is a pan-European trading carrier, trading up to the Baltic, as far east as Turkey and down to north Africa. We operate about 18 vessels (of which) UECC-owns six, ranging from (a capacity of) 5,000 cars down to 1,000.
Keel Laid for UECC’s Third LNG Battery Hybrid PCTC
As the maritime industry debates the "future fuel", one carrier, United European Car Carriers (UECC), plows forward, celebrating today the keel-laying of its third in a series of PCTCs powered by a liquefied natural gas (LNG) battery hybrid arrangement.The ceremony at China's Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard saw the laying of the keel for the hull designated H2665 as part of an ambitious newbuild program in which UECC is taking the lead in sustainable shipping by developing the first-ever vessels to run on hybrid propulsion power fueled by LNG.All told the ships measure 169 by 28 meters…
First of UECC's Three LNG Battery Hybrid PCTCs Launched
The first of three liquefied natural gas (LNG) battery hybrid pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) commissioned by Norwegian shipping company United European Car Carriers (UECC) was launched this 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, UECC CEO. "These ships prove that…
Via Kaizen Project Aims to Deliver AI-powered Ship Ops Support System
A group of Swedish technology entrepreneurs and academics joined forces to accelerate the research and development of an AI-based, semi-autonomous system for planning and executing more energy efficient sea voyages.Leading the effort is Lean Marine, aiming to deliver a ground-breaking R&D project to accelerate the tech development, realization, and adoption of AI-powered ship operation support technology by ship crew and management. The Via Kaizen project is funded by the Swedish Transport Administration…
Eastern Pacific Shipping to Trial Biofuels
Singaporean-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) said it will trial biofuel bunkers aboard its 2010-built 47,377 dwt MR tanker Pacific Beryl.EPS, which has said it aims to test various alternative marine fuels in an effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, has appointed Dutch-based GoodFuels to supply the biofuel bunkers."Alternative marine fuels are essential transitional fuels that will pave the way towards industry-wide decarbonization and the preservation of the environment for future generations," EPS said in a statement. The bunkering took place in Dutch waters on October 9.
Stena Bulk Completes Biofuel Trial
Stena Bulk said it completed a test run of biofuel aboard its MR tanker Stena Immortal, as shipping companies seek fuel alternatives to help lower their carbon footprint and comply with more stringent environemental regulations.The 49,646 dwt tanker received its first delivery of Bio Fuel Oil made from used cooking oil a call at the Port of Rotterdam. The fuel, which GoodFuels launched in 2018, is said to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 83% and substantially reduces SOX emissions.As Stena Immortal ran in typical commercial operation…
Stena Bulk to Run MR Tanker on 100% Biofuel
Swedish based tanker shipping company Stena Bulk will become the latest to run a ship on biofuel as owners and operators explore alternative fuels to help slash emissions.During the coming weeks, Stena Bulk will perform a test running MR tanker Stena Immortal on 100% MR1-100 bio-fuel oil, produced from used cooking oil and supplied by GoodFuels in Rotterdam.The clean fuel made from used cooking oil has been bunkered onto the Stena Immortal and will be used to power the main engine in normal operations to test and prove the technical and operational feasibility…
UECC to Trial Marine Biofuels
Short sea ro-ro operator UECC and marine biofuel company GoodFuels have launched a joint trial of GoodFuels Bio-Fuel Oil (MR1-100 or BFO) on UECC’s ro-ro vessel M/V Autosky, the companies announced Thursday.The three month trial will test 3,000 metric tons of sustainable biofuel on the 140m, 2,080 vehicle carrier – a step in advancing marine biofuel for the ro-ro segment. The biobunkering, which will take place in the Port of Rotterdam, will be the first in a series of bunkering operations between March and May 2020.
Steel Cut for UECC Hybrid PCTC
Norway-based provider of shortsea RoRo transportation United European Car Carriers (UECC) held a steel cutting ceremony for its first newbuild pure car truck carrier (PCTC) on order with China Ship Building Trading and Jiangnan Shipyard Group.Representatives from UECC, NYK, Japan Marine Science, MUFG Bank, DNV-GL, SDARI, CSSC and CSTC gathered at the Jiangnan Shipyard in in Shanghai on the 8th of January 2020 to witness and celebrate the steel cutting ceremony for UECC’s first Battery Hybrid LNG Powered PCTC.Earlier, UECC, jointly owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Wallenius Lines, has signed a contract to construct three new generation PCTC with China Ship Building Trading Co., Ltd and Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co.
Third Hybrid LNG PCTC for UECC
Short-sea RoRo company UECC has confirmed an option with China Ship Building Trading Co., Ltd and Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co. Ltd. for a third hybrid-battery LNG vessel, this time for use on UECC’s Atlantic short-sea trade routes.“This order is another step in our commitment to cleaner shipping,” said Glenn Edvardsen, CEO of UECC. “Our experience with LNG dual-fuel vessels has been good, and we want to keep moving forward to expand our sustainable fleet.”The company’s two first…
Eesti Begins LNG Bunkering in Hanko Port
Estonian energy company Eesti Gaas began providing liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering services to LNG-powered vessels in the port of Hanko, Finland, for the first time in addition to Tallinn and Helsinki.For the port of Hanko, this means scheduled LNG bunkering on its premises, and Eesti Gaas will be providing the service to two new ships in addition to Tallink’s Megastar.The two ships bunkered by Eesti Gaas in the port of Hanko are the largest dual fuel LNG vehicle carriers in the world. Sister ships Auto Energy and Auto Eco transport new vehicles from Europe to Finland and Russia.The ships of ice class 1A Super can accommodate a total of 4000 vehicles on their ten decks.
UECC Orders Four New Car Carriers
United European Car Carriers (UECC) has signed a contract to construct two new generation pure car/truck carriers (PCTCs) with China Ship Building Trading Co., Ltd and Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co. Ltd.The newbuilding contract also has options for two additional vessels, and the first vessel is planned for delivery in 2021. UECC is jointly owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Wallenius Lines.The vessels will be equipped with a Battery Hybrid LNG Solution which will place UECC beyond IMO’s target for a 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.“This is a giant leap towards decarbonization, and unlike anything else that has been done previously in our industry…
Great Ships of 2016: M/V Auto Eco
Since it started publishing in 1939, Maritime Reporter & Engineering News has recognized excellence in ship construction. United European Car Carriers (UECC), which is jointly owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Wallenius Lines, held a naming ceremony for the M/V Auto Eco, a s historic ship in that it is the first of two dual fuel LNG PCTCs with 1A Super Finnish/Swedish ice class. The world’s first dual fuel LNG PCTC M/V Auto Eco had her formal naming ceremony at the Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium on November 21, 2016.
Ship-to-ship LNG Bunkering Starts in Port of Zeebrugge
The bunkering vessel ENGIE Zeebrugge performed in the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium, its first deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel to M/V Auto Eco and M/V Auto Energy, the two new gas-propelled pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) of UECC. The LNG bunkering operations were conducted simultaneously while cargo operations for PCTCs were taking place. ENGIE Zeebrugge, which is the world’s first purpose-built LNG bunkering vessel, arrived in Zeebrugge at the beginning of April after delivery from Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co.
Belgium Delegates Visit NYK
Geert Bourgeois, Minister-President of the government of Flanders; Claire Tillekaerts, CEO of Flanders Investment and Trade; and accompanying delegates visited the NYK head office and met with NYK board counselor Koji Miyahara, senior advisor Takao Kusakari, and senior managing corporate officer Koichi Chikaraishi. During the meeting, Kusakari, who serves as the president of the Japan-Belgium Society, offered his appreciation for the visit on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Belgium and Japan, and also 120 years since the start of NYK’s first European liner service between Yokohama and Antwerp. He also mentioned that NYK will continue to seek collaboration and cooperation with the government of Flanders through the ports of Zeebrugge and Antwerp…
First LNG-fueled Pure Car/Truck Carrier Named
United European Car Carriers (UECC), owned equally by NYK and Wallenius Lines, held a naming ceremony on November 21 at the Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium, for Auto Eco, the world’s first LNG-fueled pure car and truck carrier (PCTC). Auto Eco had been delivered to UECC on September 29. The ceremony was attended by Geert Bourgeois, minister-president of the government of Flanders; Claire Tillekaerts, CEO of Flanders Investment and Trade; Masafumi Ishii, Japan’s ambassador to Belgium; Takao Kusakari, NYK senior advisor; and Koichi Chikaraishi, NYK senior managing corporate officer; among others. Auto Eco is equipped with dual-fuel engines that can use either liquefied natural gas (LNG) or heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil.
First Dual-fuel LNG Car Carrier Christened
United European Car Carriers (UECC), daughter company of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Wallenius Lines, signed a contract in 2014 for the construction of two dual fuel LNG Pure Car and Truck Carriers. The first vessel, de ms AUTO ECO, left the shipyard in China in September and arrived in November in Zeebrugge. On November 21, the ms AUTO ECO was christened at the terminal of International Car Operators (ICO) in the Zeebrugge inner port. The godmother of the ship is Claire Tillekaerts, CEO of Flanders Investment & Trade.