Deltamarin designs world’s first LNG handysize bulk carriers

Deltamarin Ltd has signed a contract to design the world’s first LNG handysize bulk carriers, which will point the way towards greener shipping of commodities. The two B.Delta26LNG vessels will be constructed for the Finnish shipowner ESL Shipping Ltd by the Chinese Qingshan Shipyard of Sinotrans & CSC SBICO.

Deltamarin’s contract with the Qingshan Shipyard covers basic and detail design, procurement handling and site assistance for the two vessels based on Deltamarin’s B.Delta26LNG design. Prior to this contract, Deltamarin has performed the full concept and contract design of the ship for ESL Shipping.

“Deltamarin and ESL Shipping experts have worked together for two years to develop a ship concept, which takes a significant step by bringing commodity transportation into a new era of greener shipping. The trendsetting design is proof of the Finnish blue cleantech know-how and cooperation”, explains ESL Shipping Managing Director Mikki Koskinen.

Upon delivery, the ships will be the world’s first LNG dual-fuelled handysize bulk carriers, which can be bunkered with gas fuel in various LNG terminals around the Baltic region. LNG-fuel, energy-efficiency and highly optimised hull form developed by Deltamarin, makes them among of the most environmentally-friendly ships to sail in pollution sensitive areas, such as the Baltic. The ships’ emissions will be below all current environmental requirements and CO2 emissions per cargo tonne transported will be reduced by over 50% in comparison to the present generation of vessels. The EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) value will satisfy clearly the IMO reference line requirements even in the Phase 3 due to come into force in 2025. “Together with Deltamarin we shall make shipping more sustainable and environmentally-friendly than ever before” states Koskinen.The LNG-fuelled B.Delta26LNG bulk carrier is equipped with both dual-fuel main and auxiliary machinery. The ship has a type C LNG tank of approximately 400 m3 capacity.

“The owner has closely participated in the design process in order to fully tailor-fit the ship to meet its trading requirements for the Baltic area. For example, the optimised cargo handling and cargo hold arrangements have been developed together to ensure as efficient and flexible cargo loading as possible”, says Deltamarin’s Sales Director Konstantinos Fakiolas.

The B.Delta26LNG also exhibits very efficient operation in ice class conditions, far surpassing any other similar ships trading in such conditions. Extensive model tests have been performed for both open water and Ice Class 1A operations, in reputable testing basins such as SSPA in Sweden and Aker Arctic Technology in Finland. The vessel will be classified according to the new DNV GL rules.

The total contract value of Deltamarin’s design work is about €2M. The work will be carried out at Deltamarin’s offices in Finland over an estimated period of 12 months. The vessels are planned to enter the market at the beginning of 2018.