UECC's fleet in transition
The European shortsea ro-ro car carrier UECC is banking on new technologies - but it is aware of the realities of the market.
“Money still talks loudest in the shipping industry and unfortunately the freight rate remains the overriding factor for many of the car manufacturers when selecting a cargo carrier, regardless of the environmental footprint of its logistics solutions,” says UECC CEO Glenn Edvardsen.
Two of the carrier's dual-fuel LNG pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs), "Auto Eco" and "Auto Energy", are compliant with the IMO’s goal to cut carbon intensity from shipping by 40% by 2030 due to significant reductions in CO2 and NOx emissions, and an effective elimination of sulphur oxide and particulate emissions.
By 2022, UECC will have 80% of its total lifting capacity meeting or exceeding the IMO target with delivery of three newbuild LNG battery hybrid PCTCs - the first of which is set to be delivered next month - to give it five eco-friendly ships out of a nine-vessel owned fleet, with an additional ten chartered vessels. (cd)