Volkswagen Group advises that after a few months of preparation, work has started on the construction of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-fuelled vessels for logistics within the Volkswagen Group. Volkswagen Group Logistics, the operator Siem Car Carriers AS and the shipyard Xiamen Shipbuilding celebrated the first steel cutting (equivalent to foundation laying in the shipbuilding industry) with an official ceremony in the Chinese city of Xiamen.
From 2019, the two ships powered by LNG will carry Volkswagen Group vehicles from Europe to North America. LNG drive systems will significantly reduce emitted atmospheric pollutants: compared to conventional ships, LNG ships save up to 25 percent on CO2 (carbon dioxide), up to 30 percent NOx (nitrogen oxides), up to 60 percent particulate matter and even up to 100 percent sulfur oxides (SOx).
Markus Lange, Head of Vehicle Logistics at Volkswagen Group Logistics, was part of the steel cutting team in Xiamen and says: “More sustainability in logistics is an important topic for us. The use of two LNG vessels for the transport of vehicles is a huge step forward, which we can only achieve together – with our strong partners.”
The Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry will build two LNG ships in the coming months, which will then be operated by the shipping company Siem Car Carriers and chartered by Volkswagen Group Logistics.
The propulsion engine of the ships will be MAN Diesel & Turbo.
Source: Volkswagen Group
Related articles: Volkswagen to Use Low-emission LNG-powered vessels from 2019
