Tanker saves fuel and emissions on Arctic voyage

The ship was safely escorted by Rosatomflot’s nuclear ice breaker Vaigach. The savings compared to a voyage through Suez were 18 days and 580 tons of bunkers, which Marinvest says resulted in a significant cost benefit for the charterer as well as reduced emissions.

The second Marinvest ship to make this passage, sister vessel Mariann, embarked mid September for discharge in the Far East. Marinvest claims to be the leading LR1 ice operator, with six LR1 Ice Class 1A, DNV classed sister ships, delivered from the Brodosplit shipyard in Croatia. The vessels are winterised and extensively prepared for cold climate operations with experienced crews.

Four of the six vessels are equipped with the Marinvest alternative propulsion system (MAPS) which enables the ships to safely operate in case of a main engine failure. MAPS can be connected within 15 minutes and takes its power from the hydraulic system enabling the vessel to travel at up to 10knots in calm water. The system is tested and employed on a regular basis to ensure the crew is properly drilled, should it be necessary to employ the system in an emergency situation. The system has been noticed by leading insurance companies as an added safety measure thus leading to reduced premiums.

Five of the six vessels trade in the Straits Pool based in Singapore together with a sixth ice class ship newly purchased by Oldendorff Overseas Operations. Straits Tankers Pool consists of 33 LR1 vessels with two new buildings to come, including six ice classed units. Straits Tankers, jointly owned by MOL and Hafnia Management, operating out of Singapore and Denmark, handles the commercial management of the pool. “The pool manager is proud to also be able to present this NSR solution to the market, emphasizing though, that both the season and the available vessels are limited,” says Anders Engholm, CEO of Hafnia.

“We are proud and glad to participate in the opening of a very interesting and promising new ICE Class route,” says Lars Mossberg, CEO of Marinvest.