Swedish tanker operator Sirius Shipping has confirmed an order for four hybrid-powered oil/chemical tankers at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard. The newbuilds will feature energy-efficient propulsion systems, and will be future-proofed for impending environmental regulations.
Each tanker in the Evolution 8K series features a length of 119.9m, a breadth of 19.4m, a draught of 7.23m and a deadweight of 7,999tonnes. The forthcoming quartet is described by the operator as an “update” of Sirius Shipping’s existing tankers Saturnus and Mercurius (built in AVIC Dingheng, China in 2018 and 2019 respectively) and will share those earlier vessels’ main particulars, though Sirius Shipping and Swedish ship designer FKAB have designed the newcomers for reduced fuel consumption.
Each Evolution 8K tanker will be fitted with a 420kWh battery pack, allowing peak energy shaving for the main and auxiliary engines, and a 1,000kW shore power system, enabling emissions-free loading and discharging operations in port.
The Evolution 8K design incorporates 9,700m3 of tank capacity, with the ability to handle up to 11 grades of cargo, secured in MarineLINE-coated tanks. The tankers will also be accorded Ice Class 1A status and will feature ‘take me home’ functionality as a back-up in the event of an onboard systems failure. Sirius Shipping says that the estimated energy efficiency design index (EEDI) of the tankers should be “40% below” IMO’s 2025 Phase 3 requirements.
Sirius Shipping is similarly anticipating the delivery of two Evolution 15K-class oil/chemical tankers, also under build at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard. These 147m x 22m, 15,000dwt vessels, which are being prepared for methanol-based propulsion and which will be able to handle 14 grades of cargo, are slated for delivery in 2026.
