Orca Class Boasts Dual-Fuel Engines Equipped to Run on Green Methanol
SAL Heavy Lift and Jumbo Maritime have kicked off a groundbreaking newbuild programme for the world’s first carbon-neutral heavy-lift vessels.
The two companies – which form the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance – placed an order with Wuhu Shipyard in China for four Orca Class vessels, with an option for an additional two in the future.
The vessels, developed in-house, are equipped with dual-fuel engines capable of running on fuel oil or methanol. The ramp-up of green methanol availability at key ports will eventually enable the alliance to offer its clients carbon-neutral transport solutions, it said.
The first two ships will be delivered in mid-2024 and will be used exclusively for transporting offshore wind turbine components as part of a long-term deal with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. The second pair will be delivered in the first half 2025 and will ship cargo for clients of the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance.
“One can say that these ships mark the beginning of a new era for the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance – no exaggeration,” said Michael Kahn, the owner of Jumbo Shipping.
.png)
The 150-metre-long Orca Class have a deadweight cargo capacity of 14,600 tonnes, and boast two, fully-electric 800-tonne Liebherr cranes capable of handling up to 1,600 tonnes in tandem. The vessels can accommodate over-height cargo in the hold and sail with open hatch covers up to full scantling draft.
Ice class notation 1A, a Polar Code certification and the reduced design temperature of the hull and equipment allow the ships to safely operate in icy conditions.
“The vessels represent the new benchmark both in terms of their technical capabilities and modern climate-friendly propulsion systems,” said Martin Harren, CEO of SAL and its parent company, the Harren Group.
Christian Johansen, global commodity manager for ports and transportation at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, said the Orca Class programme was a “perfect fit” with the company’s target of decarbonizing its supply chain.
SAL and Jumbo are frequent exhibitors at Breakbulk events. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is a member of the Breakbulk Global Shipper Network.
The next event in the calendar is Breakbulk Americas 2022, taking place on Sept. 27-29 at the George R. Brown Convention Centre in Houston, Texas.
To register for the conference, click here.
