Car Carriers News

As car carrier shipping is expected to continue its slow recovery, backed by better utilization and minimal vessel ordering, costs are increasing while the trade outlook seems vulnerable to emerging geopolitical risk. Slow car carrier recovery is expected to lead to more distressed vessel sales as shipping lines focus on landside investments in search of profitability, according to the  global shipping consultancy Drewry.Seaborne trade in finished vehicles, including high & heavy and used autos…

NYK has placed an order for the world largest pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) capable of navigating oceans with only LNG as the main fuel. A keel laying ceremony was held on September 20 at Shin Kurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., and NYK managing corporate officer Takaya Soga and other related parties were in attendance. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2020 and will be the first large LNG-fueled PCTC to be built in Japan.To minimize a reduction in vehicle loading capacity caused by the installation of LNG fuel tanks…

NYK has become the first Japanese shipping company to realize a carbon-neutral voyage by offsetting 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to the CO2 emitted by NYK’s environmental flagship car carrier Aries Leader during one voyage between Japan and the Middle East.Aries Leader is equipped with the latest energy-saving technologies, reducing CO2 emissions per unit by 30% compared with existing large pure car carriers (i.e., comparing emissions on a per car basis). In this initiative…

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that the Beluga Ace, the first ship of its "FLEXIE series" next-generation car carriers, and both the Sunflower Satsuma and Sunflower Kirishima ferries, which are operated by its group company, Ferry Sunflower Limited, have received the "Ship of the Year 2018," and "Large Passenger Ship Sector Award," respectively.It marks double awarding for the group companies, said a press note."This is MOL's sixth Ship of the Year Award…

Global Shipping Industry Delivers Comments to Official Consultation on Proposed Modifications to Panama Canal Tolls.The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is conducting a public consultation on a proposal to adjust the Panama Canal tolls for containerships, vehicle carriers, dry bulk carriers, tankers, chemical carriers, LPG and LNG vessels, passenger vessels and small vessels. The proposed new toll charges are anticipated to enter into effect on 1 January 2020, the same day as the IMO ‘Global Sulphur Cap’ regulation.

South Korea-based company engaged in the production and sale of ships, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co (HMD) has won a 163 billion-won (US$138 million) order to build two car carrier ships.According to a stock exchange announcement from the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) unit, HMD will build the vessels by March 2022 for  a European shipper. It declined to identify the buyer.This is the first ro-ro order of this year for HMD.According to Yonhap, HMD posted sales of 705 billion won in the first quarter of the year, with its operating profit reaching 26.1 billion won.

The Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty AGCS) Safety & Shipping Review 2019 provides a unique and in-depth look at the emerging risks facing international shipping stakeholders.Large shipping losses are now at their lowest level this century having declined by over 50% year-on-year, according to Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE’s (AGCS) Safety & Shipping Review 2019. The annual study analyzes reported shipping losses over 100 gross tons (GT). AGCS provides global marine and shipping insurance for all types of marine risk…

MAN Energy Solutions has announced that its two-stroke, dual-fuel portfolio has now logged over 500,000 operational hours. The milestone stems from the confirmed 250+ sales the company has won within its entire portfolio of dual-fuel engines – all running on LNG or other, clean fuels such as LPG and methanol.MAN Energy Solutions’ ME-GI (-Gas Injection) and ME-LGI (-Liquid Gas Injection) engines form the core of its two-stroke, dual-fuel portfolio and have notched many notable industry-firsts since their introduction to the market…

Intermarine UK struck an agreement with a Chinese manufacturer to make the Port of Portland one of the UK’s centers for scrubber installation.Intermarine President Slawomir Kalicki signed the agreement at Norshipping in Oslo with counterpart DB Wang deputy general manager of the Shandong Pure Ocean Technology based in Renhe Town in the Shandong province. The deal will see Intermarine act as an agent to Shandong and offer to install its scrubber systems to a wide variety of vessels to help them meet tough new environmental regulations.

The Panama Canal welcomed its 6,000th Neopanamax vessel through the Expanded Canal, underscoring the route’s ability to accommodate the highly-dynamic liquefied natural gas (LNG) segment, which first transited the waterway following the inauguration of the Expanded Canal less than three years ago.The LNG vessel Energy Liberty completed the milestone transit today travelling southbound from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Constructed in 2018, the vessel has a cargo capacity of 165…

Japanese shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) will buy Reliance Industries (RIL) stakes in Singapore-based Reliance Ethane Holding (REHPL) which has a fleet of six very large ethane carriers (VLECs).RIL has 100% holding in six limited liability companies (LLCs) which own the VLECs. "MOL and a strategic minority investor have signed binding definitive agreements for an investment in the six special purpose limited liability companies each owning a VLEC," said a statement from the Mukesh Ambani-led Indian conglomerate holding.Transaction closing is subject to regulatory approvals.

American manufacturer Gulf Island Shipyards has completed the second of 10 Z-Tech 30-80 tugs, five of which were ordered by Suderman & Young Towing Co.Once completed, these tugs will be operated in ports on the Texas Gulf Coast by G&H Towing Co, said a press release from Robert Allan Ltd.The Z-Tech 30-80 tug Ted C. Litton evolved from the previous Z-Tech 7500 design for Suderman & Young. Designed and built with a sponsoned hull form, escort capability of the tug is significantly enhanced.The design incorporates the best handling and operational characteristics of both Z-drive tractor tugs…

SUNY Maritime College has appointed Captain Morgan McManus as the Master of the T/S Empire State VI. An alumnus of SUNY Maritime College, Captain McManus graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation.Captain McManus has over 12 years’ experience sailing as Master including on the SS Cape Jacob, the sister ship to T/S Empire State VI. His sailing career has taken him on various types of commercial ships including steam, motor, breakbulk, container, car carriers, tankers, and cutting-edge dynamic positioned drill ships.

United European Car Carriers (UECC) has signed a contract to construct two new generation pure car/truck carriers (PCTCs) with China Ship Building Trading Co., Ltd and Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co. Ltd.The newbuilding contract also has options for two additional vessels, and the first vessel is planned for delivery in 2021. UECC is jointly owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Wallenius Lines.The vessels will be equipped with a Battery Hybrid LNG Solution which will place…

The 6,400 standard passenger car capacity, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)-operated car carrier Grand Orion has made a first call for such a vessel type in Cambodia.The Japanese shipping company said in a release that the car carrier called at the Port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, and discharged about 12,000 tons of construction machinery. It was the first call at a Cambodian port by an MOL-operated car carrier, it added.In commemoration of the first call, Grand Orion Capt. Denis C. De…

Currently, the liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered fleet has grown globally from 118 LNG-powered vessels in operation in 2017, to 143 LNG-powered vessels in operation – with a further 135 on order and 135 LNG-ready ships either in operation or on order.According to the LNG bunkering coalition SEA\LNG, Orders for LNG-powered vessels span a variety of vessel types including tankers, cruise ships, container ships, car carriers, and Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOC)s.A press note issued by Peter Keller…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)  is to increase the roll-out of Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress Service, across the remainder of its owned and managed fleet. The Japanese shipping company was among the earliest adopters of Fleet Xpress; deploying Inmarsat’s global high-speed broadband connectivity on the majority of its Car-Carriers in 2016, shortly after the launch of the next-generation service. Currently it has over 100 vessels installed. MOL will now install Fleet Xpress across its managed and owned fleet of Bulk carriers…

The rating company Moody's Japan K.K. has downgraded  Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.'s (MOL) corporate family rating to Ba2 from Ba1. The rating outlook is stable."We expect MOL's debt will not decline materially over the next few years and its leverage will likely remain above our downgrade guidance of 7.0x for a Ba1 rating," says Motoki Yanase, a Moody's Vice President and Senior Credit Officer.Moody's sees only a limited possibility for MOL to materially reduce its debt during the next several years…

Beluga Ace: New Design Car Carrier with Six Liftable DecksBeluga Ace, the first vessel of next-generation FLEXIE series car carrier built by the Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., was delivered to Japanese shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) in March 2018. The space onboard was rearchitected using the design concept. The six liftable decks, compared with two on conventional car carriers, allow loading of vehicles with different heights. As a result, loading efficiency was improved by 6.25% from the conventional type of car carrier…

As the cost inflation is set to accelerate on higher insurance premiums, average vessel operating costs rose modestly for the second year in succession following two years of marked declines, according to the latest report published by global shipping consultancy Drewry.The report titled 'Ship Operating Costs Annual Review and Forecast 2018/19' said that typical ship operating costs accelerated moderately in 2018 as the uncertain recovery in freight markets across most cargo sectors gained momentum.Opex costs are heavily linked to developments in the wider shipping market as some costs…

ABB shore power connectors retrofitted to three Holland America Line vessels will help these ships achieve low emissions in port anywhere in the world.Cruise line Holland American Line will retrofit three of its vessels with ABB’s innovative shore power connectors that allow the ships to draw on land-based electrical grids when docked in port.Holland America Line proactively encompasses programs that aim to reduce emissions and comply with international regulations and environmental guidelines – and seeks to exceed these requirements wherever possible.

The Aphrodite Leader, a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), is the first vessel under Wallem Ship Management to come under the Japanese Flag.The Aphrodite Leader completed the various inspections, audits and surveys in accordance with the Japanese Flag requirements. The vessel then officially changed over to Japanese Flag upon receipt of the statutory certificates from the Japanese Government and Class NK.This marks a positive milestone as Wallem is now one of just a few international ship managers capable of managing Japanese Flag vessels.

The Panama Canal registered the transit of its 4,000th Neopanamax vessel through the Expanded Canal, underscoring the steady growth of the burgeoning liquefied natural gas (LNG) segment – which began transiting the waterway for the first time following the inauguration of the Expanded Canal.The LNG tanker Maria Energy completed the milestone transit traveling southbound from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean on July 29."The steady increase in Neopanamax transits reflect our customers’ confidence in the Expanded Canal…