Next-generation DPSTs will serve on a long-term charter to Norway’s Equinor. Source: AET

Malaysian shipping company AET has launched its two LNG dual-fuel dynamic positioning shuttle tankers (DPST) in South Korea.

The sister twin-skeg shuttle tankers were revealed at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) Geoje Shipyard in South Korea during a naming ceremony.

Both shuttle tankers Eagle Blane and Eagle Balder have a deadweight tonnage (dwt) of 123,100.

The DPST vessels will emit 40% to 48% less carbon compared to similar vessels built in 2008, positioning them as the most environmentally clean DPST.

The tankers meet the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) 2030 target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 40% compared to 2008 and its 2050 goal of reducing CO₂ emissions by half.

Eagle Blane and Eagle Balder are also designed to emit 98% less NOx, 85% less SOx, 93% less black carbon particulates and 98% less particulate matter compared to DPSTs that burn conventional fuel.

OSM Maritime and Eaglestar provided project management services for the vessel construction. The tankers will serve on a long-term charter to Norway’s Equinor.

The vessels use LNG as primary fuel and can also use 100% of the harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) as supplementary fuel.

By combining LNG dual-fuelling and VOC recovery systems with a dynamic positioning system, the vessels can save approximately 3,000t of fuel annually.

The DPSTs are propelled by two low-pressure dual-fuel two-stroke engines. They feature the latest generation of bow loading system and shaft generator with DC switchboard.

AET president and CEO Rajalingam Subramaniam said: “These vessels are proof that environmental sustainability and commercial viability can coexist and are also a testament to the fact that operational performance does not have to be sacrificed in the pursuit of reducing emissions.”