In China, the fourth vessel of the “Orca” class being built for Hamburg-based shipping company SAL Heavy Lift has been launched.
The carrier, which is part of the Bremen-based Harren Group, described the launch as “another major step towards a more sustainable future for heavy lift shipping.”
The “Carlotta” is being constructed at the CMJL shipyard in Weihai, China. It is the fourth ship in a series of five that SAL ordered successively. “With just one more vessel to follow, the Orca fleet is steadily taking shape and setting new standards in terms of performance, flexibility, and efficiency,” the company stated.
The Orca class was designed to meet the complex demands of modern logistics while significantly reducing emissions.
The new “Orca” vessels receive funding from the German federal government
According to earlier information, all newbuilds in the series will be equipped with methanol-capable, variable-speed Wärtsilä engines, which can run on methanol fuel. The ships will also feature an energy storage system, a PTO/PTI generator, a multidrive converter, and Wärtsilä’s energy management system.
At a service speed of 15 knots, the ships are expected to consume significantly less than 20 tonnes of fuel per day. Their maximum speed is 18.5 knots.
The vessels measure 149.9 metres in length and 27.2 metres in beam, with a deadweight of 14,600 tonnes. They are certified to Ice Class 1A and the Polar Code. According to the company, NOx emissions are 10% below IMO Tier III standards, while CO₂ emissions are 21% below the EEDI Phase 3 threshold. All newbuilds in the series have received funding through the German Federal Government’s programme for the “Sustainable Modernisation of Coastal Vessels.”
