Swedish shipping company Erik Thun Group has taken delivery of Thun Vettern, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel vessel from the Vinga series.
The 17,999-dwt vessel was built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou and is an upgraded version of the sister Thun Venern.
All the sister vessels are designed by Furetank together with FKAB with a focus on minimal impact on the environment. The vessels in the Vinga series all have dual-fuel capability, run on LNG/LBG or gasoil, and are fully equipped for shore power connection when available in ports.
According to Erik Thun, they are designed with a battery hybrid solution and several features that reduce fuel and energy consumption, resulting in extensively lowered emissions of CO2, sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide and hazardous particles.
“The ships have scored the best Energy Efficiency Design Index or EEDI value in their segment globally, meaning that they are the most energy-efficient vessels according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO),” Erik Thun Group stated.
The Vinga-series ships is designed for the intense and demanding trade in the North Sea and Scandinavia to meet the growing European demand for biofuels and renewable feedstocks. Erik Thun’s partner Furetank will technically and commercially manage the new vessel, which upon delivery will enter the Gothia Tanker Alliance network. “Sustainability work has always been and will be a focus ahead for Erik Thun. To take delivery of a resource efficient, top performing product tanker like Thun Vettern, and further deepen our good and long-term co-operation with Furetank is a great example of our vision to be a sustainable Swedish partner over generations,” stated Johan Källsson , Managing Director at Erik Thun AB.
Erik Thun Group recently picked an AI-based solution developed by compatriot company Cetasol to enhance the energy management of nearly 50 vessels. The shipowner explained that by installing battery packs and making the shore power connection smoother for the vessels, the need to use the engines while in port will be minimized. This, in turn, will help minimize emissions and noise pollution from the vessels while in port.