Cleaner air in port cities with battery hybrids

Wallenius Marine are leading the building process of three vessels that run on multifuel and batteries, to UECC. The first battery hybrid is now in water and will be able to lie in ports releasing close to zero emissions.

Shipping releases 2-3% of the global greenhouse gas emissions, and also nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide which contribute to smog and acid rain. This is a huge problem, especially in port cities. With the new vessels, UECC (United European Car Carriers) will be able to visit ports releasing significantly less emissions. The first of three multifuel battery hybrid PCTCs was launched last week in an official ceremony at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai.

Photo: UECC

Latest energy efficiency criteria

Wallenius Marine will deliver the first vessel in October and the remaining two vessels in 2022. The vessels are built to the latest energy efficiency criteria, meeting the Tier 3 IMO NOx emission limitations in place for the Baltic and North Sea.

“Every building process is complicated when you are pushing the limits to get a vessel with as low environmental footprint as practically possible. During the pandemic, it has been extra challenging. We are very proud to be able to deliver the first vessel of the highest environmental standard with currently available technologies”, says Urban Lishajko, Head of Ship Design, Newbuilding & Innovation at Wallenius Marine.

Urban Lishajko
Urban Lishajko

Batteries improves efficiency

All three will be equipped with a battery hybrid solutions to improve operational efficiency and further reduce emissions through peak shaving, in addition to handling partial accommodation load and driving auxiliary equipment.

“Battery power also provides an option for reducing emissions while in port, a feature that more and more cities are demanding,” says Glenn Edvardsen, CEO in UECC in a press release. “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.”

Multifuel engine

The ships are also equipped with multifuel (LNG/LBG/diesel/synthetic diesel) engines for main propulsion and auxiliaries. As more biofuels are set to become commercially available in the future, UECC plans to increase the proportion of carbon neutral and synthetic fuels in their future fuel mix.

“Multifuel engines have the big advantage that they can be run by existing fuels as well as the more environmentally sound choices that are in a development or early expansion phase”, says Carl Fagergren, project leader at Wallenius Marine for UECC A-class.

Carl Fagergren
Carl Fagergren

Short facts: Battery hybrid to UECC

Length: 169 meters.
Width: 28 meters.
Car carrying capacity: 3,600 units on 10 cargo decks.
High & heavy capacity: Highly flexible decks allows a wide range of high & heavy and break-bulk cargoes.
Engine: Multifuel and battery power.

UECC first vessel
Photo: UECC

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