New Solvang ECO ethylene carrier series

The new vessels have a hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system combined with a low pressure EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system. The scrubber is tuned to feed the EGR system with optimal exhaust gas for combustion. The scrubber reduced the exhaust gas SOx content from 3.5% to less than 0.1%.

The medium-sized vessel builds on the company’s experience trialling the combination aboard an older LPG carrier, Clipper Harald, in 2016, which achieved NOx emission reductions of almost 80% using low pressure EGR.

Solvang estimates that the hybrid system can generate savings of USD5,000-6,000/day compared with MGO operations. By comparison with the previous generation of carriers, fuel consumption is lowered by almost 35% – measured as gram fuel/tonne cargo per nautical mile – with a corresponding reduction in CO2.

The 21,289m3-capacity, semi-refrigerated Clipper Eirene incorporates IMO Type C independent, bi-lobe tanks (−104°C; 3.9 Bar) and affords a multipurpose cargo carrying capability that includes commercial propane, anhydrous ammonia, butadiene, ethylene and propylene.

By drawing on Solvang’s experience of transporting ethane/ethylene cargoes, the cargo plant has been optimised, which will shorten the cool-down time by about 15-20% compared with the company’s previous generation of carriers.

The vessel features six 350 m3/h capacity main cargo pumps, along with a further two 350 m3/h booster pumps.

The ship’s main dimensions allow access to key ports and terminals involved in the global olefins trade. The vessel is optimized for both short- and long-haul trade, and the fuel capacity together with exhaust gas cleaning allows the vessel to sail more than 50 days without bunkering.

The vessels were built at Hyundai MIPO’s shipyard. The four sisterships, Clipper Eos, Clipper Eirene, Clipper Enyo and Clipper Eris were delivered in 2019 to identical designs.

The primary power installation is a six-cylinder 50ME-C8.5 diesel manufactured under licence from MAN Energy Solutions by Hyundai Heavy Industry, and specified at an NCR rating of 7,100kW at 104 RPM.

The vessel also features 3 x Hyundai Himsen auxiliary engines, specified at 1,400 kW at 720 RPM, and includes a urea-based selective catalyst reduction system to limit NOx emissions.

The layout includes two Wartsila hybrid Venturi exhaust gas cleaning systems.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS – Clipper Eirene