SWS delivers LNG-powered Capesize bulker to Maran Dry Management

Chinese shipbuilder Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has delivered a 190,000 dwt dual-fuel bulk carrier Ubuntu Unity to its owner Clouds Marine SA, based in the Marshall Islands.

The LNG-powered Capesize bulk is intended for Greek-based Maran Dry Management, according to the data from VesselsValue and the Greek company’s website.

The bulker spans 299.8 meters in length, 24.70 meters in molded depth, and has a design speed of 14 knots. This ship is equipped with two C-type LNG fuel tanks, and its endurance in the gas mode is 20,000 nautical miles. The ship has also been fitted with energy-saving devices and advanced technological solutions to minimize its fuel consumption, the shipbuilder said. It is classed by DNV and it will sail under a Greek flag.

Maran Dry Management also has one more dual-fuel newbuilding under construction at SWS, Ubuntu Community, which is set for delivery in March 2023.

The two Capesize bulkers have been chartered by UK-based mining company Anglo American as part of a fleet of ten LNG dual-fueled newbuilds that the mining company plans to introduce to its chartered fleet in 2023 and 2024. The fleet is expected to deliver an estimated 35% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to ships fueled by conventional marine oil fuel.

Anglo American has already put into operation Ubuntu Harmony, a recently launched LNG dual-fueled Capesize+ bulk carrier, chartered from Taiwanese bulk carrier company U-Ming Marine.

Ubuntu Harmony was loaded with its first cargo of iron ore in January 2023, a month after its delivery.

The vessel completed bunkering in Singapore in early January with LNG provided by Shell Eastern LNG. It arrived in Saldanha Bay, South Africa on 19 January to load a full cargo of iron ore that will be transported to customers in China. The Ubuntu Harmony will be followed by its sister ship Ubuntu Equality, the fleet’s second vessel, which was scheduled to load her first cargo in February in South Africa.

U-Ming ordered four vessels of the same size from Shanghai Waigaqiao in 2020 and they have been chartered by mining giant Anglo-American on long-term deals of 10 years each.