Meriaura Group has entered into a contract with Dutch shipyard Royal Bodewes for building two 4700 DWT VG Eco Coaster general cargo vessels.
The contract for two newbuildings was signed at Turku in December. The delivery of the first vessel is due at the end of July 2016 and the second will follow three months later.
Biofuel
Bodewes' VG Eco Coaster is designed to cause considerably less environmental impact than conventional dry cargo vessels. The hull and machinery of the newbuildings are optimised to the speed of 10.5 knots in open water conditions. Power required for Ice Class 1A is achieved by a diesel electric driven booster unit. The aim is to almost halve the fuel consumption compared to conventional dry cargo vessels of similar type and size, and therefore also to cut emissions remarkably. The vessels will be equipped with a dual fuel system, main engine ABC 8DZC being suitable for biofuel and MGO. Biofuel for the vessels is produced in VG-Shipping’s (part of Meriaura Group) own refinery located in Uusikaupunki.
Meriaura is expanding and regenerating its fleet. In December the company reported of time chartering four more dry cargo vessels. The regeneration aims to lower fuel consumption and GHG emissions. Currently Meriaura’s fleet consists of twenty vessels. Special purpose vessel Meri, which was built at Turku shipyard in 2012, is reportedly the first cargo ship in the world being able to use biofuel.
