Hybrid-battery coastal bulk carrier launched in India

“Our customers’ need for a modern and sustainable fleet is increasing day by day and we are happy we can answer that demand,” said AtoB@C Shipping commercial director Frida Rowland.

Each ice-class 1A ship will have a length of 90 m, beam of 16 m and draught of 6 m, 1 MWh of batteries and a shore power system.

Six vessels are underway at the shipyard in various stages of completion, according to the Swedish bulk and breakbulk shipping company. Electramar, the first in the series, is nearing completion and is undergoing the final phases of outfitting.

Following launch, the hull sections of Ecomar will be moved to the slipway for assembly. The steel cutting for the sixth vessel, Terramar, commenced in late June, while the fifth vessel, Maximar, had its keel laid at the end of July.

Electramar is expected to be ready for delivery Q4 2023. Thereafter, every three months, a new vessel will follow, with the final vessel set to be completed in Q2 2026.

Once in service, these vessels are expected to reduce CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions per cargo unit transported by almost 50% compared with AtoB@C Shipping’s existing ships, making the vessels among the most efficient in their class, said the owner.

Operating in the shortsea trade, the hybrid coastal bulk carriers will use batteries, shoreside electricity solutions and electric-hybrid solutions to enable emissions-free operations within port.

During voyages, the ships will burn Neste Marine 0.1 coprocessed marine fuel, a specialty low-emissions marine fuel from Neste Marine based on the Finnish refiner’s Neste Marine 0.1 low-sulphur marine fuel. A combination of sustainable renewable feeds and fossil components, Neste Marine 0.1 coprocessed marine fuel is a drop-in fuel, enabling up to 80% reduced greenhouse gas emissions over the lifecycle compared with fossil fuels.

All the ships will be under the full ship management of Sweden’s GoTa Ship Management.