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United European Car Carriers (UECC), jointly owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and Wallenius Lines, has signed a contract to construct two dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs).

The contract has been signed with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) and the vessels are due to be constructed at the NACKS shipyard in Nantong, China, which is a joint venture between KHI and China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company. The delivery of both vessels is scheduled to take place in the second half of 2016.

The vessels will be 181 metres long with a 30-metre beam. Both vessels will have 1A super Finnish/Swedish ice class, facilitating year round trading in the Baltic area. Approximately 3,800 standard sized cars spread over 10 decks will able to be transported. A significant part of the cargo capacity will also be used to transport high & heavy cargo and any other cargo loaded on to mafi trailers.

The vessels will be designed to operate with LNG fuel or heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil, providing greater flexibility and efficiency. It is the first PCTC of its kind to be fitted with an LNG fuel propulsion system, and will be able to complete a fourteen day round voyage in the Baltic using solely LNG fuel, including main engine and auxiliary power generation.

LNG is widely recognised as an environmentally friendly choice of fuel, suitable for marine transport. The choice of LNG as a fuel significantly reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, as well as almost eliminating sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate emissions.

"The LNG installation is a pioneering design and will be one of the largest employed on a commercial vessel and the largest yet of its kind on a pure car and truck carrier. We are proud of the exciting step UECC is taking towards greener and more environmentally friendly shipping," said Glenn Edvardsen, CEO of UECC.

The vessels will employ a number of other design elements and technologies to help reduce fuel consumption and emissions, ensuring safer and more efficient operations.

With capacity for approximately 3,800 cars, it will be the largest PCTC type vessel specifically designed for transiting the Baltic and other ice prone areas.

Edvardsen added: "UECC will be able to provide our customers with transportation in the Baltic area with unparalleled efficiency, reliability and superior environmental performance."

The vessels have been jointly developed by UECC, Wallenius Marine and NYK Technical Group, together with Kawasaki Heavy Industries.