LNG fueled bunkers to have MacGregor equipment

MARCH 30, 2016 — Cargotec subsidiary MacGregor is to deliver hatch covers, cranes, deck machinery and steering gear to the two new 25,600 dwt dual-fueled handysize bulk carriers ordered last November by Finnish owner ESL Shipping (see earlier story).

The ice-class 1A vessels are the first to be built to new classification society rules introduced in January 2016 and will be the first LNG-fueled large bulk carriers in the world.

For each vessel MacGregor will deliver three K3030-4 mechanical grab cargo cranes with a safe working load of 30 tonnes at 30 m outreach, design and key components package for multi folding-type hatch covers (6+6), electrically-driven Hatlapa deck machinery and Porsgrunn steering gear. 

“These are exciting new bulk carriers and we are happy that our customer choose MacGregor to supply the extensive equipment package for the vessels,” says Anders Berencsy, Sales Manager at MacGregor. “ESL has operated MacGregor cranes and hatch covers for a number of years on several bulkers in its fleet. The fact that ESL has returned to MacGregor demonstrates the company’s trust in our equipment and in MacGregor’s ability to deliver the multi-discipline expertise required for complete equipment packages including Hatlapa deck machinery and Porsgrunn steering gear.”

“We wanted to have a highly efficient and reliable cargo handling system on our newbuildings, with service and spares close to our operations,” says Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director at ESL Shipping. “The extended commissioning service that MacGregor is able to provide, was also an important factor in securing the contracts.”

The 160 m vessels are being built to B.Delta26LNG-design developed in close cooperation between Deltamarin and ESL Shipping by Sinotrans & CSC Shipbuilding Industry Cooperation’s Qingshan shipyard in China. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2017 and the second in early 2018. They will primarily be used to carry raw materials for steel and energy industries in the Gulf of Bothnia and Baltic Sea.