Netherlands-based shipping company Vroon has awarded a contract to China’s Cosco Shipyard to build a seventh livestock carrier.
Four of the vessels in the series have already been delivered, while the remaining two, Gloucester Express and Greyman Express, are expected to be delivered in 2015.
Delivery of the seventh vessel is scheduled for 2016.
The next-generation livestock vessel will have a cargo capacity of about 4,500m² and will be have a cruising range of 18,000nm.
With an effective bow design, the vessel will offer less fuel consumption, as well as high cruising speed and better comfort for cargo and crew.
The vessel will be equipped with animal-welfare facilities exceeding Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) regulations.
With a deadweight tonnage of 5,224.86t, the vessel will use a Wartsila 6,090kW engine as its main engine.
According to Vroon, the present vessel is chartered to one of the major Australian livestock exporters under a tailor-made charter agreement. The vessel will start its operation soon after its delivery.
In July, Vroon Offshore Services awarded a contract to Cosco Shipyard for two additional platform supply vessels (PSV)of the Ulstein PX121 design.
Recently, Fujian South East Shipyard (FSES) christened five of Vroon’s new-build vessels, including the two multi-purpose platform-supply vessels (MPSV) VOS Pride and VOS Prime, and three 60m field-support vessels (FSV), VOS Glamour, VOS Glory and VOS Gorgeous.
Image: The new livestock carrier will have a cargo capacity of about 4,500m² and can cruise up to a range of 18,000nm. Photo: courtesy of Vroon.
