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Hartmann Schiffahrts Gmbh & Co. KG, Jaccar Holdings, HB Hunte Engineering GmbH and DNV GL, have signed a letter of intent for the classification of five ECO STAR 85k very large ethane carriers (VLECs), powerered also by ethane.

Jean Labescat from Jaccar Holdings, Ulrich Adami, Technical Director of Hartmann Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG, Frerk Brand, Managing Director of HB Hunte Engineering, and Torsten Schramm, DNV GL Maritime’s COO for Division Germany, Middle East & Asia, signed the agreement [pictured] at the SMM maritime trade fair and exhibition.

"It's a great honour to be given the opportunity to act as the classification society for this new series of ECO STAR 85K vessels. These vessels will be the largest ethane carriers yet constructed, but it is not only the size, but the technical innovations present in this design that will make these ships a real breakthrough for the industry. Such highly specialised vessels require a very strong technical partnership and we are looking forward to working together with Jaccar, Hartmann and HB Hunte to bring this project to a successful conclusion," said Torsten Schramm.

The five ECO STAR 85K ethane-fuelled VLEC carriers are to each have a capacity of 85,000 cubic metres. The cargo tanks of the five new vessels include another world first – the use of Star-Tri-Lobe tanks. These consist of three cylinders combined into one.

Explaining the cost and efficiency benefits, DNV GL said: "Due to better utilization of the space in the cargo holds, this results in higher efficiency and allows an increase in cargo capacity of nearly 30 percent over similarly sized vessels with conventional tanks, reducing shipping costs through greater economies of scale."

Image: From left to right: Mr Frerk Brand, Managing Director of HB Hunte Engineering, Mr Ulrich Adami, Technical Director of Hartmann Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG and Mr Jean Labescat from Jaccar Holdings as well as Mr Torsten Schramm, DNV GL Maritime’s COO for Division Germany, signed a letter of intent for the classification of five ECO STAR 85k very large ethane carriers at the SMM.