UECC upgrading older car carriers

Car carrier specialist UECC is seeking to extend the service life of three of its older vessels by up to 15 years. It is doing this via a major upgrading of Autocarrier, Autotransporter, and Autoline. The ships? bow thrusters, propellers, boilers, fans, some steelwork, switchboard, automation and electronic equipment plus accommodation are being overhauled or replaced. However, the cargo decks and cargo handling equipment remain unchanged. The first upgraded vessel, Autocarrier, left Lloyd Werft in Germany in August. It was fitted with a new separation plant, fuel treatment equipment and boiler firing and control unit. The main and auxiliary engines were thoroughly overhauled, along with the steering gear hydraulics and the active rudder. The propeller blades and hub were extensively overhauled, and some galley equipment and certain accommodation upgrades were carried out. Tin-base coatings were removed and replaced with a tin-free alternative. Autotransporter is due to be dry-docked in April, followed by Autoline, in August.