SECOND COMING OF ECO LIFTER CLASS

Handed over by the CSSC yard at Hudong on January 18, the 150m UHL Faith leads the latest series of multi-purpose vessels of the F900 Eco Lifter design, a class that is already one of the mainstays of UHL’s operations.

The eight incoming vessels, originally intended for service with now defunct Zeamarine, have been secured by UHL on 14-year timecharters from contractual owner CSSC Leasing. Each ship’s tools of the trade feature two 450t deck cranes, conferring a tandem lift capacity of 900t, together with a configuration which allows the transport of especially long items of cargo as well as heavy and outsized freight.

On scheduled completion of the latest generation from the CSSC Group yards at Hudong and Huangpu Wenchong by April 2022, UHL will have 17 units of the F900 class at its disposal, and an overall heavy-lift fleet strength of at least 22. The preceding series of nine F900 Eco Lifters, dating from 2018 and 2019, was taken over by UHL during January 2020. The extensive number of vessels of a common design is conducive to attracting large contracts of affreightment.

A removable tweendeck can be used in the hold spaces, conferring additional cargo carrying flexibility, albeit reducing total hold volume to 23,600m³ from the 25,127m³ available without the tweendeck.

The tank top can take 16t per m², and the tweendeck 5t/m², while the full-width weatherdeck pontoon hatch covers form a flush cargo carrying area that can accept loads of 5t/m2, and up to 8t/m² on the reinforced amidships, main tandem-lift working area. Combined with the forward location of the bridge and superstructure, and the offset funnel casing aft, the weatherdeck provides a completely unobstructed platform of 123.5m x 25.6m for the shipment of overlength freight such as wind turbine blades.

The array of DNV (formerly DNV GL) class notations confirms the ability to voyage in hatchcoverless mode, enabling the intake of large and high, indivisible items of cargo.

The two cranes are positioned on pedestals along the same (port) side as the funnel. On passage, the jibs can be topped so as to maximise the usable deck area and stow formation.

Besides the scope for breakbulk and project cargo, the Eco Lifter offers a viable capability as a container carrier, with slots for 1,001TEU in all, taking 471TEU in the hold spaces and 540TEU above deck. Electrical sockets enable up to 100 reefer units to be accommodated on deck.

The seven-cylinder MAN S40ME-series engine, specified at the time of ordering more than five years ago in the B9 version, was chosen for its efficiency and lower overall height. At 85% maximum continuous rating, it cranks out some 4,800kW at 105rpm, giving the vessel a maximum speed of 15 knots.

The nature of the two-stroke machinery coupled with a bundle of measures that included optimisation of hull lines for the assumed operating profile render the F900 design among the most efficient in the heavy-lift segment. UHL claims that the type’s carbon footprint is some 30-50% lower than that of much of the competing tonnage.

The three gensets are driven by Daihatsu 6DEM-18 medium-speed diesels manufactured by the Japanese company’s Moriyama division. Both the composite and the exhaust gas boiler are from Saacke’s VKK range.

UHL is part of the 2015-established United Group, also encompassing United Wind Logistics(UWL) and United Engineering Solutions (UES). Through UES, UHL has access to a team of more than 50 naval architects, marine engineers and port captains, who provide a range of technical transport solutions to clients. This includes the design and fabrication of lifting devices, load spreading equipment, grillages, and transport frames, and oversees voyage planning and execution.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS – UHL Faith

F900 Eco Lifter, newbuild series

Delivery schedule