VESSEL REVIEW | Emden – LNG dual-fuel vehicle carrier handed over to SFL Corporation

Norwegian shipowner SFL Corporation has expanded its fleet with the recent acquisition of a new pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) built jointly by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) and China Shipbuilding Trading (CSTC).

Named after a city in northwestern Germany, Emden has an LOA of 199.99 metres, a moulded beam of 38.03 metres, a draught of 8.9 metres, a gross tonnage of 69,470, and capacity for 7,000 CEUs across 13 decks. Two of the decks are laid out for the transport of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, hence the installation of additional fire safety features.

The propulsion system consists of a MAN 6S60ME-C10 main engine, three MAN 8L28/32DF generators that can also run on LNG, and a Kawasaki Heavy Industries KT-219B3 side thruster. The propulsion delivers a speed of 19 knots and a range of 15,000 nautical miles. Also fitted are a Cummins emergency generator, MAN Cryo 1.675-cubic-metre LNG fuel tanks, and Alfa Laval Aalborg auxiliary boilers.

Emden was designed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) in compliance to DNV class rules and is sailing under the flag of Liberia. It is the first in a series of four dual-fuel PCTCs, all of which are scheduled for delivery to SFL before the end of 2024.

Emden will operate under charter with vehicle manufacturer the Volkswagen Group.