United European Car Carriers (UECC) is enhancing its eco-friendly fleet with the addition of the dual-fuel LNG-powered Blue Aspire, a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) recently delivered from CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering in China.
The 200-meter-long vessel, capable of transporting nearly 7,000 vehicles across 12 decks (including hoistable decks for High & Heavy cargoes), is set to join UECC’s North-South trading network in mid-December. This route spans key ports in Turkey, Germany, and Belgium, with operations coordinated alongside five other vessels to improve capacity and sailing frequency every 4.5 days.
While LNG can reduce emissions by around 25% compared with conventional fossil fuels, there is potential to greatly enhance environmental performance on LNG-fuelled vessels like Blue Aspire by switching to liquefied biomethane (LBM) that offers net-zero potential.
The Blue Aspire expands UECC’s fleet to 15 PCTCs, including five dual- and multi-fuel LNG vessels. Two additional multi-fuel LNG newbuilds are scheduled for delivery by 2028, with options for more.
According to COO Per Christian Mørk, this fleet expansion meets growing demand for sustainable maritime transport driven by environmental regulations like FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS. By adopting energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels, UECC aims to reduce its fleet’s carbon intensity and align with evolving green standards.
The Blue Aspire therefore represents a valuable addition to the UECC fleet that underpins our market commitment to sustainability, while contributing to decarbonization of shipping,
… Mørk concluded.
