On May 23, Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd.(XSI) under Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group held a steel cutting ceremony for the first vessel in the series of 5,500 LNG dual-fuel CEU ro-ro PCTCs (pure car and track carrier) built for Singapore’s Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS).
The PCTC is classed by DNV, with an overall length of 190 meters, a depth of 35.6 meters, a design draft of 8.3 meters and a maximum draft of 9.5 meters. It is used for global service (except polar waters) and can carry cars, vans, buses, trucks, MAFI ro-ro trailers and high-heavy ro-ro cargo, as well as new energy vehicles and dangerous goods packaged in IMDG. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEV) can be loaded on decks 9, 10 and 11. The propulsion system of this ship consists of FPP, shafting and dual-fuel high-pressure main engine.
This series of vessels is the second series of cooperation between XSI and EPS after the 2900TEU series of container vessels.
EPS is headquartered in Singapore. It is a large shipowner company controlled by Israeli shipping magnate Idan Ofer. It has a shipping history of more than 60 years and is the world’s largest private shipowner. It owns more than 170 vessels and manages more than 230 vessels. The ship types cover a wide range, including bulk carriers, container ships, PCTC, tankers, chemical tankers, LPG carriers, LNG carriers etc.