New Bulk Carrier Design Puts Ecoships in the Lotus Position

Ecoships, the technical shipmanagement arm of Newport Shipping Group, has introduced a next generation bulk carrier design, developed to set the standard in ecologically compatible marine transportation.

Inspired by the low friction to water flow and self-cleaning properties of the lotus flower – a symbol of purity and beauty in Buddhist and Hindu philosophy –  Ecoships’ Greenlotus 32, is a 32,500dwt geared, wide hatched, handy-size bulker, designed to meet existing and future CO2 (carbon dioxide) NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and SOx (oxides of sulphur) emissions regulations.

Captain Aykut Yilmaz, Newport Shipping’s General Manager, said, “The Greenlotus 32 is a proven eco-friendly bulk carrier that builds on the success of two earlier designs delivered in 2011. From cost and energy efficiency perspectives, it makes a lot of sense for shipowners to reconsider their ageing Handies in favor of the Greenlotus 32. The return on investment is very attractive due to its extremely low fuel consumption and it meets the most stringent emissions reduction requirements.”

The 170.90m long, 27m wide hull form, optimized for energy efficient operation using computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis, has a propulsion arrangement based around a de-rated, Tier III compliant MAN B&W SG50ME-B9 two-stroke main engine driving a large diameter, fixed pitch propeller.

“This configuration provides a heavy fuel oil consumption of just 15.6t/day at a service speed of 14 knots and 7.6 t/day at 11 knots. Compared to the daily fuel oil consumption of comparable Handy-size designs, the Greenlotus 32 can generate daily fuel savings of more than US$6500 on a bunker price of $650t, operating at 14 knots,” Yilmaz added.

The Greenlotus 32 is also equipped with built-in technology for voyage and weather routing, trim optimization and a system to provide real-time analysis of ship data, including bunker quality and emissions.

Additional emissions abatement can be achieved through the optional installation of an exhaust gas scrubbing system and/or a Selective Catalyst Reduction unit.

Exhaust gas recirculation and waste heat recovery systems, available with the standard Greenlotus 32 design, add to the vessel’s arsenal of ecologically-friendly measures.

“It really does minimize the environmental impact of bulk shipping,” said Yilmaz.

Suitable for the carriage of a variety of cargoes, including coal, grain, ore, direct reduced iron, cement, bauxite and steel coil, across five double skin cargo holds, the ‘Eco-Smart’ design features wide, steel-covered hatches in conjunction with the absence of hoppers and lower bulkhead stools to facilitate optimal loading and discharging operations.

Fuel tanks, coffered against cargo Hold 5 to reduce the risk of pollution and to protect heat sensitive cargoes, have been prepared for low sulphur fuel operation.

Fulfilling IMO requirements for permanent means of access for close up survey work and ease of maintenance, service piping and electrical cables run along two side pipe tunnels within the double hull. The arrangement serves as a safe conduit between the superstructure and foredeck during inclement weather.

Ballast and bilge piping has been similarly arranged in a pipe duct running through the double bottom of the vessel.

The tank top has been strengthened to 20t/m2 on top of all cargo holds. The vessel is equipped with four sets of deck cranes each with a 30t safe working load and 36m outreach. Each crane is supplied with a frequency converter system to ensure optimum energy efficiency.

Harald Lone, CEO, Newport Shipping, said, “Vessels built to this new design will feature advanced energy-efficient technologies making them very cost effective to operate. We have already partnered with shipyards in China, Korea and Turkey to offer competitive pricing structures.”

“The Greenlotus 32 is a real game-changer,” he said.