Amid the unusual situation caused by the COVID-19 crisis, Antwerp-based shipping company Euronav held its first virtual naming ceremony for the inauguration of two new vessels.
The naming ceremony took place on Thursday morning and was broadcasted in Belgium and Korea at the same time.
The vessels, named DELOS and DIODORUS, are the first two of the four sister ECO-type VLCC ships that will join Euronav fleet in 2021. All 336-metres-long vessels, constructed at the DSME shipyard in South Korea, are fitted with scrubber technology and BWTS.
The adverse effects of the pandemic has surged a rising wave of digitalization and have pushed operators to adopt virtual realization of operations. As traditional naming ceremonies are not possible in most cases, online ceremonies have proved to be the next best thing.
Earlier in December, Wallenius Wilhelmsen successfully realized a virtual naming ceremony for car carrier MV Tannhauser.
In November, DEME Group held their first ever virtual naming ceremony for next generation trailing suction hopper dredgers ‘Meuse River’ and ‘Bonny River’. A particular highlight was the 360° virtual tour onboard, which was hosted by DEME’s captains and crew.