Norwegian shipping company Peak marked two events at its Chinese shipyard on 12 August, with the delivery of its third S-class multi-purpose vessel, Peak Skarv 3, and the cutting of first steel for hull 247, an ammonia-fuelled vessel scheduled for delivery in 2027.

Peak chief executive Jan Øivind Svardal signed the delivery documents for Peak Skarv 3, with Captain Alejandro T. Montenegro raising the Norwegian flag as the vessel was registered under the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS).

The vessel is the third of four S-class multi-purpose ships in the series, each rated at 7,890 deadweight tonnes (DWT), with a 10,121-cbm cargo hold, 1,600 square metres of open deck and a service speed of 12 knots. The vessels are fitted with an ammonia-ready engine, batteries and shore power capability. The fourth and final vessel in the series is expected to be delivered in mid-September.

Peak Skarv 3 is set to load its first cargo in Weihai, China, ahead of a maiden voyage to Europe, with departure scheduled for 17 August.

On the same morning, senior project manager Ragnhild Høvik cut the first steel for hull 247. The vessel will be fitted with a 160-cbm ammonia tank and marine gas oil (MGO) as a pilot fuel, designed for a 14-day round trip between Norway and the continent. The propulsion system will also incorporate electric propulsion with batteries and shore power.

According to the company, hull 247 will carry timber for Viken AT Market and will be commercially operated by Arriva Shipping upon delivery.

Svardal said: "This is a proud day. Three ships are now in the water, giving our customers short-sea capacity at much lower emissions, and hull 247 will run on ammonia from the day it is delivered. That is what we set out to build."