U-Ming wins first long-term dual-fuel bulker charter

The four dual-fuel newbuildings will be constructed at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS). The vessels are expected to be delivered throughout 2023.

According to a U-Ming statement, the four 190,000 dwt Capesize vessels will be powered by MAN Energy Solutions’ dual-fuel ME-GI engines.

With main dimensions of 299m length and 47.5m breadth, the vessels are designed to transport 5 million tonnes/year of iron ore between Anglo American’s mining assets in Brazil and South Africa and the company’s customers in East Asia and Europe.

Anglo American noted that Singapore would serve as prime bunkering port, thereby avoiding deviations from trading routes for refuelling purposes. The newbuilds will also be flagged and registered in Singapore.

The agreement will mark the first time Anglo American has operated LNG-fuelled vessels in its chartered fleet.

In addition to reducing emissions by adopting dual-fuel main engines, the vessels’ highly efficient design is intended to maximise load capacity within the dimensions of a conventional 190,000dwt bulk carrier, “improving overall cost effectiveness”.

The vessels will also feature energy-saving devices such as a Mewis duct, propeller boss fin and alpha lubricator. The new vessels will also be equipped with U-Ming’ proprietary Fleet Safety Management (FSM) and Fleet Performance Management (FPM) systems, which form part of U-Ming’s digitalisation programme. These tools will allow remote monitoring of equipment and preventive maintenance, in addition to route optimisation.

U-Ming President Mr. C. K. Ong welcomed the award of the ten-year time charter, adding that the newbuildings would form part of the group’s fleet renewal and decarbonisation strategy. “We are committed to provide sustainable long-term green shipping solutions to our customers with the specific target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% in 2025, compared to 2013.”

“U-Ming believes that [the IMO 2050] target will expedite the charters of LNG-fuelled bulk carriers in the industry, and the Company shall be at the forefront to leverage on this trend,” Mr. Ong concluded.

U-Ming was a participant in the Green Corridor Joint Industry Project, which produced designs for LNG-fuelled Newcastlemax and Very Large Ore Carrier designs, The Motorship notes.