Norway's Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) recently took delivery of the third and final ship in a new series of combination dry and liquid bulk vessels optimised for the transport of caustic soda to be used in the aluminium industry.
Like her sister ship Balder, which was delivered earlier this year, Baltazar was built by China's New Yangzi Shipbuilding.
The Marshall Islands-registered newbuild has an LOA of 228.4 metres, a beam of 34.8 metres, a draught of 14.5 metres, a depth of 20.9 metres, a deadweight of 83,000 at full load displacement, and a gross tonnage of 49,234. The ship’s construction utilised 14,000 tons of steel cut into blocks and was done in compliance with DNV class requirements.
KCC said the vessel's dimensions have been optimised specifically for routes to and from Australia, while her carrying capacity is approximately 15 per cent greater than those of the earlier generation of vessels she and her sisters will eventually replace.
Baltazar is also fitted with two wind-assist propulsion units that KCC refers to as "suction sails". The owner said the vessel is also prepared for future retrofitting to enable the use of "zero" or "near-zero emission" fuels.
The ship's other efficiency-enhancing features include an air lubrication system and a shaft generator.