Terntank contracts Kongsberg Maritime to design and equip new wind-assisted tanker

Danish operator Terntank has awarded Norwegian technology company Kongsberg Maritime a contract to design and equip its eleventh wind-assisted hybrid chemical tanker.

Terntank has on order a total of eleven hybrid tankers that can operate on diesel, biofuel, or methanol, with the latest five featuring wind-assist technology, which is projected to cut emissions by up to 19%.

The new 15,000 dwt vessels feature Kongsberg Maritime technologies aimed at energy conservation and emission reduction. They are also equipped with Terntank’s proprietary battery-powered Hybrid Solution.

The tankers are currently under construction at the China Merchants Jingling Shipyard in Yangzhou, with the first delivery expected in 2025. The design concept, featuring wind-assist technology, won the Nor-Shipping Next Generation Ship Award in 2023.

Rune Ekornesvåg, Kongsberg Maritime’s Sales Director – Ship Design, commented: “This latest contract for our fuel-efficient and low-emission tanker design reaffirms the commitment of forward-thinking ship owners to integrating sustainable technologies into their fleets.

“The vessels will feature our Promas propulsion system, which delivers fuel savings of over 6% compared to other systems. Additionally, the ships will utilise battery-powered hybrid propulsion, enhancing operational flexibility and minimising environmental impact.”

Claes Möller, Chief Executive Officer at Terntank, added that the combination of a good design and innovative systems to be installed on a newbuild vessel will reduce the carbon footprint of maritime operations beyond the regulatory requirements.

Kongsberg Maritime sees a growing demand for sustainable technologies in shipping so exploring future fuel types like methanol, ammonia, and biofuels, with a specific focus on long-range vessels, is part of the company’s strategic approach to position itself as a front-runner in designing low-emission and sustainable solutions for the shipping industry.

According to Kongsberg, this latest order brings the total number of ships in this design series to thirteen, eleven from Terntank, and a contract for two similar vessels (without suction sails) for Swedish operator Sirius Redri AB.