VESSEL REVIEW | RS Atlantico – Eastern Pacific's new dual-fuel vehicle carrier with 5,500CEU capacity

Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has added a new LNG dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) to its fleet, and the vessel is now on her first voyage to Europe on charter to Spanish logistics group Suardiaz.

Capable of transporting 5,500 CEUs, RS Atlantico is the lead ship of a series built by China's Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry (XSI) to a design by China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI).

The PCTC is EPS's first newbuilding chartered to Suardiaz, which said she is the first LNG-powered car carrier operated under charter by a Spanish company.

The ship was handed over on September 28. EPS said the design was developed jointly with Suardiaz around specific customer requirements.

Can also transport various non-vehicle freight

RS Atlantico has an LOA of 190 metres (620 feet), a length between perpendiculars of 185.8 metres (609.6 feet), and a moulded beam of 35.6 metres (117 feet). She has a design draught of 8.3 metres (27 feet), a maximum draught of 9.5 metres (31 feet), and a gross tonnage of about 55,000.

The ship is classed by DNV, is registered to Portugal, and is certified for worldwide service outside polar waters.

The PCTC’s cargo spaces span 11 vehicle decks. Decks four, six and eight are movable, so clear height can be traded for car capacity depending on the mix of cargo. The Ro-Ro equipment is electrically operated.

Intended cargoes include passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks, MAFI trailers and other high-and-heavy cargo, as well as alternative energy vehicles and packaged dangerous goods under the IMDG Code. Hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles can be carried on decks nine, 10, and 11.

Compliant with international emissions standards

The propulsion arrangement comprises a high-pressure dual-fuel main engine, a shaftline, and a fixed-pitch propeller and is fed by a high-pressure LNG fuel-gas supply system.

SDARI said that the ship’s service speed is 18.4 knots and that an exhaust gas recirculation installation enables the vessel to meet IMO Tier III requirements.

The electrical installation includes a shaft generator, a high-voltage shore power connection, and solar panels mounted on deck.

The LNG fuel tanks have a total capacity of 2,100 cubic metres (460,000 gallons) and is built from nine per cent nickel steel to DNV class. The supplier said the bilobe configuration takes up fewer vehicle spaces than a single-lobe tank.

Designed for intercontinental trade

XSI developed the design from its 4,900CEU vessel. SDARI has described RS Atlantico as a new iteration of its medium-sized PCTC range.

Suardiaz said the vessel will serve its existing automotive customers and strengthen existing routes. Its 2024 agreement with EPS named Northern Europe–North Africa services as the target market, with other lines to be added according to demand.

SDARI said the design is intended for Asia–Europe and Asia–Americas trades.

After calling at Singapore from October 4 to October 6, RS Atlantico proceeded towards Vlissingen in the Netherlands, where she is due on Friday, November 6. A second vessel is scheduled to join Suardiaz's operations in the middle of 2027.