MacGregor Equipment for ESL's Eco-bulker Duo

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has confirmed an important order to deliver hatch covers, cranes, deck machinery and steering gear to two new 25,600 dwt dual-fuelled handysize bulk carriers for Finnish owner ESL Shipping. The ice-class vessels are the first to be built to new classification society rules introduced January 2016. The ships have been designed to set new standards in efficiency and environmental performance and introduce liquefied natural gas-powered bulkers to the market.
 
For each vessel MacGregor will deliver three K3030-4 mechanical grab cargo cranes with a safe working load of 30 tonnes at 30m outreach, design and key components package for multi folding-type hatch covers (6+6), electrically-driven Hatlapa deck machinery and Porsgrunn steering gear.
 
"These are exciting new bulk carriers and we are happy that our customer choose MacGregor to supply the extensive equipment package for the vessels," says Anders Berencsy, Sales Manager at MacGregor. "ESL has operated MacGregor cranes and hatch covers for a number of years on several bulkers in its fleet. The fact that ESL has returned to MacGregor demonstrates the company's trust in our equipment and in MacGregor's ability to deliver the multi-discipline expertise required for complete equipment packages including Hatlapa deck machinery and Porsgrunn steering gear."
 
"We wanted to have a highly efficient and reliable cargo handling system on our newbuildings, with service and spares close to our operations," adds Mr Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director at ESL Shipping. "The extended commissioning service that MacGregor is able to provide, was also an important factor in securing the contracts."
 
The 160m vessels are being built to B.Delta26LNG-design developed in close cooperation between Deltamarin and ESL Shipping by Sinotrans & CSC Shipbuilding Industry Cooperation's Qingshan shipyard in China. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2017 and the second in early 2018. They will primarily be used to carry raw materials for steel and energy industries in the Gulf of Bothnia and Baltic Sea.