U-Ming’s new LNG-fuelled bulk carrier christened

Chinese shipbuilder Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has held a naming ceremony for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered bulk carrier built for U-Ming Marine.

The 190,000-ton vessel Ubuntu Integrity is independently designed and developed by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding. A cloud naming ceremony was held in Taipei and Shanghai on 9 January.

The length of the ship is 299.80 meters, the width is 47.5 meters, the depth is 24.70 meters, the design draft is 18.25 meters, and the vessel can reach a speed of 14 knots. The ship uses LNG fuel and is equipped with two C-type LNG fuel tanks. 

According to the Chinese shipbuilder, the vessel’s gas cruising range reaches 20,000 nautical miles, enabling it to complete two round-trip routes from China to Australia or one round-trip route from China to Brazil.

By using LNG as a fuel, the company expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding continues to bolster its research and development of innovative technologies. The company aims to launch product designs in the field of bulk carriers, oil tankers and containerships that meet the latest international environmental regulations, by developing energy-saving and environmental protection technologies.

To remind, the company started the year with the delivery of 190,000-ton dual-fuel LNG bulk carrier Ubuntu Equality.

A total of four LNG-fuelled bulkers were ordered by U-Ming from Shanghai Waigaqiao in 2020 and they have been chartered by mining giant Anglo-American on long-term deals of 10 years each. Ubuntu Integrity and Ubuntu Loyalty, its sister vessel, are slated for delivery from Shanghai Waigaoqiao in 2023.