Hong Kong-based dry bulk specialist Pacific Basin Shipping has placed orders for four low-emission, Ultramax bulk carriers in a series to be built by Japan's Nihon Shipyard.
The ships will each have a deadweight of 64,000 and dual-fuel engines. Two of the vessels are contracted jointly with Nihon Shipyard and Imabari Shipbuilding and the remaining two are contracted with Mitsui and Co. The four ships will be delivered at a rate of two each in 2028 and 2029.
The vessels are of a new design optimised for fuel economy. Additional upgrades will further enhance the vessels’ operational capabilities and safety features.
The vessels' dual-fuel engines will make them capable of running on both conventional fuel oil and biofuel as well as green methanol produced using sustainable feedstocks and renewable energy.
Pacific Basin said the green methanol will generate emissions that can be classified as "low carbon" or even "net zero" on a lifecycle basis.