Finnish shipowner ESL Shipping said that Viikki, claimed to be the first LNG-powered handysize bulk carrier in the world, was launched on August 31 at the Jinling shipyard in Nanjing, China.
The 160-meter LNG-powered vessel of 26,000 dwt produces more than 50 percent lower carbon dioxide emissions than vessels of the previous generation, according to ESL Shipping, that is a unit of Aspo Plc.
“The longstanding work in this project becomes concrete today when we see the vessel floating for the first time. There is still a lot of work ahead before her delivery, but I’m confident that we will get a superb vessel tailored to our needs”, Captain Jussi Vaahtikari said.
Viikki and its sister vessel that is set to be christened this month will start operating in the Baltic Sea during the first half of 2018.
The two vessels will be bunkered at the new LNG terminal in Tornio as part of a deal ESL Shipping signed with LNG supplier and terminal operator, Skangas.