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ESL Shipping has recently announced the intention to launch two new LNG-fuelled bulk carrier vessels into use in the Baltic Sea region in 2018.

Deltamarin and ESL Shipping cooperating on the project

For the concept and design of the ships, ESL Shipping chose to work with Finnish ship design company Deltamarin. This company was chosen primarily for their past successes in designing vessels appropriate for trade and carriage in the harsh conditions in the Baltic Region.

The two companies worked together to design a ship would be both energy efficient and cargo efficient. In order to meet future International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, the vessels will be powered entirely by LNG fuel. This is set to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 50 percent compared to similar vessels in operation today.

Vessels are set to be built at the Sinotrans & CSC Qingshan Shipyard located in China.

Features of the new vessels

Two vessels are set to be launched in 2018, both bulk carriers with the same features. They will be powered by LNG and created with cargo hulls designed for rapid onloading and offloading. The vessels are to be used to deliver raw materials to power generation companies and heavy industries around the region.

The specifications for the vessels have been provided below.
- 25,600 dwt
- 400-cubic-metre LNG fuel tanks
- Satisfies IMO Phase 3 environmental mandates
- Modified B.Delta26LNG bulker design
- Optimized hull form

Designs submitted to DNV GL have received their classification as large LNG-powered bulk carrier vessels. These are the first vessels that will be built to the newest DNV GL general dry cargo ship rules, as well as the first LNG large bulk carriers. In addition to these classifications, the vessels will also hold DNV GL Ice Class IA notations, as they are to be used in the wintery conditions around the Baltic region.

Commenting on the new bulk carriers, Knut Orbeck-Nilssen, the CEO of DNV GL Maritime, said: "We have created these rules to be ready for the future and we have long pioneered the use of LNG as a ship fuel. To see these two come together in a double first for the industry is a remarkable moment."