Meriaura has received the first one of the two VG EcoCoaster newbuildings ordered from Royal Bodewes. M/s ‘Eeva VG’ arrived yesterday for the first time in Finland, and was baptised today in the port of Rauma, where the vessel loaded her first cargo, 4000 tons of oats, for Rotterdam.
M/S Eeva VG is 103 meters long and 13.6 meters wide, 5000 ton dry cargo ship with iceclass 1A. “Although the vessels are traditional dry cargo bulkers, they represent a new generation because of their environmental friendliness and energy efficiency,” says Jussi Mälkiä, Chairman of Meriaura Group.
VG EcoCoaster is a new ship concept developed by Meriaura Group in cooperation with Foreship and Aker Arctic Technology. VG EcoCoasterTM is designed to cause considerably less environmental impact than conventional dry cargo vessels of same type and size. The hull and machinery are optimized to the speed of 10,5 knots in open water conditions. Additional power required for fullfilling Ice Class 1A requirements is achieved by a diesel electric driven booster unit. The ambition is to almost halve the fuel consumption compared to conventional dry cargo vessels of similar type and size, and therefore also cut emissions remarkably. The vessels are equipped with a dual fuel system, where the main engine is suitable for both biofuel and MGO. When run on biofuel the vessel is causing close to zero emission of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen. The biofuel for the vessels, VG Marine EcoFuel, is produced in VG-Shipping’s (part of Meriaura group) own refinery located in Uusikaupunki. The sea trials with biofuel were carried out successfully.
Besides fuel economy and minimizing emissions, environmental issues have been taken into account in all possible ways. The new vessels will meet all the maritime environmental regulations coming into force in next few years, and in many cases will even exceed them. The ships are equipped with ballast water treatment system, heat recovery from central heating and air conditioning and system for cargo hold washing waters. Only energy efficient LED’s are used for lighting. The hull is painted with environmentally friendly and energy efficiency improving Ecospeed-paint.
