Ethane Carrier GasChem Beluga Delivered

On November 11 the first vessel of the new ECO STAR 36k type, GasChem Beluga, was delivered to the owners Ocean Yield ASA in China.

The design for this new type of vessel was developed under the lead of German ship owner Hartmann Reederei together with its long-term partners HB Hunte Engineering for the ship design and AC Inox delivering gas plant and equipment.

The hull design is unique and highly efficient: The vessel’s superstructures are located at the bow, the engine at the stern, resulting in an excellent distribution of weight and a significant reduction of ballast water. In combination with the new “Svelte” bow design invented by Hartmann, this hull type leads to reduced, more efficient fuel consumption.

The MAN main engine is capable to burn gas and traditional fuel alike. It is also the first ever two-stroke engine operating on ethane and LNG with negligible methane slip − due to the diesel principle. As this technology reduces emissions considerably, it will enable the vessels of the ECO STAR type to meet future requirements on emission control.

The cargo tanks are constructed in the new Star-Trilobe design developed by Hartmann and Stargas. This type of tank enables higher cargo flexibility and faster loading operations and provides an increase in cargo capacity of about 30 percent at the same ship dimensions and therefore significantly increasing economies of scale.

At the seatrials, GasChem Beluga performed even better than anticipated: She needed less propulsion power to achieve and keep her speed, which again results in lower consumption. Additionally, her cargo volume of nearly 38,000 cbm turns her into the world’s largest LEG carrier.

Upon delivery, GasChem Beluga entered into a long term bareboat charter between Ocean Yield and Hartmann and will be sublet back-to-back under a max. 15-year long term time charter to Saudi Arabian petrochemical company Sabic. She is already en route to Houston for taking the first ethane shipment destined for her first delivery in Europe before the end of the year.

The Hartmann Group takes full ship management of the vessel, with Hartmann Gas Carriers conducting the technical-nautical operations and GasChem Services managing the commercial side.

The second vessel of this type is scheduled for delivery in July 2017.