AtoB@C Shipping, the Swedish subsidiary of Finnish shipping company ESL Shipping, has taken delivery of the first two units in a new series of six low-emission Handysize multi-purpose cargo vessels capable of operating in both inland and offshore waters.
The 5,900DWT ice class 1A vessels Baymar and Soundmar were designed by Dutch naval architecture firm Groot Ship Design in compliance with DNV class rules and built by Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industry in China. AtoB@C Shipping said the newbuildings' modern and efficient lines will enable an almost 50 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the 5,000DWT vessels currently in the company's fleet.
The newbuilds each have an LOA of 99.79 metres (327.4 feet), a beam of 15.55 metres (51.02 feet), a draught of 6.2 metres (20 feet), and a gross tonnage of 4,488.
The vessels are also designed to flexibly accommodate different types of cargo by having one 71-metre (230-foot) long, box-shaped hold of nearly 9,100 cubic metres (320,000 cubic feet) and a partial tween deck, which can also be used as bulkheads. Containers may also be carried.
The propulsion setup on each vessel consists of one MAN 6L27/38 IMO Tier III main engine that produces 2,190 kW (2,940 hp) and a 265kW bow thruster that provides additional lateral manoeuvrability for berthing/unberthing and navigating in port waters. Energy efficiency optimisation systems will ensure adequate power is available for propulsion, which will then help minimise fuel consumption and emissions.
Shore power connectivity will allow each vessel to source electrical power for its various systems from the local grid instead of the onboard generators while berthed, thus further reducing emissions.
The ships also boast de-icing equipment to permit continued operations even under moderate winter conditions while the strengthened hulls can easily withstand impacts from one-metre (3.3-foot) thick ice floes. Intelligent load optimisation systems will aid in arranging and securing cargo to improve stability and efficiency.
All six ships in the series will be registered to Cyprus and will serve long-term time charter contracts with Hamburg-based shipowner BAAS Shipping following their respective deliveries. The four remaining vessels will be handed over to AtoB@C Shipping between 2025 and 2027.
| Baymar & Soundmar | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | Multi-purpose cargo carriers |
| Classification: | DNV 1A General dry cargo ship BIS BWM(T) Clean DBC DG(B, P) E0 Grab(2-20 t) Ice(1A) LCS NAUT(NAV) Strengthened(IB) TMON(oil lubricated) ER(SCR, TIER III) |
| Flag: | Cyprus |
| Owner: | ESL Shipping, Finland |
| Operator: | AtoB@C Shipping, Sweden |
| Designer: | Groot Ship Design, Netherlands |
| Builder: | Jiangsu Dajin Heavy Industry, China |
| Length overall: | 99.79 metres (327.4 feet) |
| Beam: | 15.55 metres (51.02 feet) |
| Draught: | 6.2 metres (20 feet) |
| Deadweight tonnage: | 5,900 |
| Gross tonnage: | 4,488 |
| Capacity: | 9,100 cubic metres (320,000 cubic feet) |
| Main engine: | MAN 6L27/38, 2,190 kW (2,940 hp) |
| Side thruster: | 265 kW |
| Other electronics: | Load optimisation system |
| Other equipment installed: | De-icing system |