The Roman tanker shipping company Augusta Due, owned by the Brullo family, has taken delivery of its first newbuild.
The ship, equipped with a dual-fuel engine, is intended to herald the renewal of the fleet. In future, the company will focus on sustainable operations, it says.
Last December, Augusta Due put the eight-year-old tanker “Vulcano M” into operation, followed by the first new build. The “Primo M” (18,500 dwt) was built at the Chinese shipyard Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding and will be able to use methanol as well as conventional fuel. The classification was awarded by Rina.
Augusta Due plans to operate in emission control zones
According to the shipping company, the tanker will be able to halve fuel consumption compared to a ship of the same size thanks to a “highly efficient propulsion system”. This will enable compliance with international regulations so that the newbuild can also be deployed in so-called ECAs (Emission Control Areas) – including in Northern Europe, the USA and, from May 2025, the Mediterranean. The tanker will also be able to use shore power, which will further reduce emissions in ports.
“Our Group has successfully recovered from difficult times caused by a sharp drop in freight rates and has achieved a complete financial restructuring,” said Raffaele and Gabriele Brullo during the handover and flag change ceremony. Like all of the shipping company’s vessels, the “Primo M” also sails under the Italian flag. “We are now implementing a large-scale relaunch plan that will gradually replace a large part of our current fleet with new ships featuring advanced technology, high safety standards and a strong commitment to sustainability.”
The Augusta Due shipping group specializes in the transport of petrochemical products and liquid bulk. It operates a fleet of 19 vessels.
