04/2019 | Baltrader Orders New Cement Carriers in China

Hamburg, 04. April 2019 – Hamburg based Baltrader Capital has ordered the construction of two cement carriers. The project will be realized by Chinese shipbuilder Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding, who will deliver the new vessels from end of 2020 onwards. This new generation of cement carriers will be optimised for the European shortsea trade. Their design embraces a number of forward-looking and environmentally friendly features.

Dual Fuel Option
Each of the sister vessels, CemCoaster and CemClipper, measures 98 meters in length, 15,6 meters in width and carries 4650 tons at 6 meters draft. As for the propulsion system, they will be equipped with an MaK main engine, allowing a future conversion into dual fuel operation. The ships will then be optionally run on LNG, liquid natural gas, or on marine gasoil. Both options comply with the requisite emission regulations.

Eco-Friendly, Efficient Operation

The ships have been planned and designed in Germany by SDC Ship Design & Consult in cooperation with the project engineering department of the BRISE-Group. Their centerpiece will be the automatic self-discharging system by Dutch producer Van Aalst Marine & Offshore, powered alternatively by the main engine’s shaft generator or the auxiliary generators. Compared with conventional minibulkers, this closed system offers decisive benefits for the transportation of loose cement, ground granulated blast-furnace slag and fly ash – such as emission free and weatherproof loading and unloading. The design of the bulkhandling system is optimised on maximum flexibility in loading and unloading options for all possible terminal requirements. With loading capacity of 500 tons per hour and unloading capacity of 250 tons per hour, this system is ideally suited to the needs of Baltrader’s customers. For the largest part, the makers list consists of components from European Makers. Additionally, these iceclass 1B ships are equipped with a ballast water treatment system (BWTS) and optimized in their fuel consumption.

Future-Proof Design

Apart from operational and safety aspects, all decisions are geared towards low fuel consumption, in particular the design of the hull lines and the propulsion train. Considerable effort was made to optimize the combination of main components such as rudder, propeller and nozzle in order to trade the ships safely and efficiently in sea conditions typical for Northern Europe. All preparations for a later installation of an LNG system have been considered to ensure a swift change to a dual fuel vessel.

A Growing Fleet of Cement Carriers

Taking on the two new vessels from China, the Baltrader fleet will soon count twelve cement carriers with pneumatic self-discharging systems. Founded in 1983, Baltrader is a leader internationally in maritime cement logistics servicing the world’s largest cement producers. The new vessels will be integrated into the company’s logistic concept. The technical project management and the future technical management will be carried out in cooperation with the Hamburg-based BRISE Group. » back