United European Car Carriers Launches LNG Powered PCTC in Nantong, China

United European Car Carriers (UECC) earlier this month launched a dual-fuel LNG pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessel at NACKS shipyard in Nantong, China.

The vessel, which is named Tbn Auto Eco and built to LR class, is the first of its kind ordered with an LNG fuel propulsion system, Lloyd’s Register said in a statement published Wednesday.

This is the first of two LR classed dual-fuel LNG PCTCs with 1A Super Finnish/Swedish ice class. 

The next milestones for the ship will be sea trials and gas trials, where her dual-fuel capabilities will be put to the test and her engines will run solely on LNG. 

The vessel is scheduled to be delivered to UECC on September 28, 2016 in Nantong, China.

UECC is jointly owned by Japan's Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and Sweden's Wallenius Line.