Japanese shipping company NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers has ordered a pair of “next-generation energy-saving heavy-lift vessels” to serve the offshore wind industry.

Both vessels will be equipped with two 400-ton cranes, meaning they can handle cargo of up to 800 tons in tandem operation.

NYK says it has given special attention to the environmental characteristics of the vessels. The company has worked together with Japanese marine equipment manufacturer to “significantly” reduce the fuel consumption in comparison to existing ships of the same type. The new vessels will already meet the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 requirements that will become effective in 2025.

The EEDI-requirements are aimed at increasing the efficiency of ships and their onboard equipment. The lesser energy a ship needs the lesser power it needs to produce, meaning the engines have to burn less fuel thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The vessels have been ordered at Nanjing Jinling Shipyard, which is part of the China Merchants Group. The vessels will measure 138 metres in length, 23.6 metres in width and will have a cargo capacity of 12,470 tonnes.

NYK has opted for open-hatch type vessels with the bridge and accommodation placed at the front. The ship will have one hold of 95 metres to simplify loading of long cargo like the blades for wind turbines. On deck, cargo with a length of up to 110 metres can be loaded meaning that NYK can also load the 107 metres long blades for the new generation of wind turbines with a power generation capacity of 12 MW.

“The heavy cargo ship market has been sluggish since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, but due to the recent increase in environmental awareness, the cargo movements of wind-power plants and LNG plants have become active, and these ships are expected to meet market needs,” NYK says about its new order.

“We will maintain and accumulate the technical know-how of heavy-lift vessels by owning and operating these vessels, and as the only heavy shipping company in Japan, we will respond to the needs of plant cargo customers,” the company added. It did not specify when the ships are expected to be delivered.

NYK operates a fleet of 40 multipurpose and heavy-lift vessels including two heavy module carriers. The new vessels represent a significant increase in lift capacity for the carrier. Currently, NYK’s largest heavy-lift vessels can lift 450 tons.