Halten Bulk Contracts 2+2 Bulk Carriers with rotor sails

Halten Bulk is renewing its fleet and has contracted 2+2 “Powered by Nature” low-emission self-dischargers of 7,100 dwt at SOHO Marine. The vessels are designed with a particular focus on superior sailing performance in order to maximize the direct contribution from wind – nature’s own renewable energy source.

In addition to rotor sails, the vessels will feature a hybrid-electric propulsion system including a shaft generator and battery pack. They will also be equipped with an electric excavator and several additional energy-efficiency measures. The newbuilding’s represent a major step forward in sustainable low-emission sea transport at competitive prices.

Through the integration of new technology, Halten Bulk achieves operational benefits that enable low-carbon transportation at competitive freight rates.

The vessels will primarily operate in the spot market along the Norwegian coast, in the North Sea, the Nordic region and the Baltic, in line with Halten Bulk’s existing fleet.

The shipbuilder is Jiangsu SOHO Marine Heavy Industry. Halten Bulk says the yard impressed with a thorough and detailed technical review process and a positive, solution-oriented approach. The contracts are already effective for the first two vessels, and Halten Bulk has secured options for two additional units.

“This is a major day for the company as we now replace older tonnage with new low-emission vessels,” says Ivar Ulvan, Managing Director of Halten Bulk AS.

“The vessels now contracted are a natural continuation of the ‘Powered by Nature’ concept developed by Egil Ulvan Rederi AS in close cooperation with The Norwegian Ship Design Company. The ship is primarily designed to harness the energy available in wind – delivering some of the most advanced sailing performance achieved in a cargo vessel to date,” Ulvan explains.

“The new ships will provide our employees with an excellent workplace and, importantly, deliver significant emission reductions for our customers at competitive prices. This is a natural step before zero-emission fuels become commercially available. Our great-grandfather built motor vessels with auxiliary sails – one hundred years later, the circle is complete,” Ulvan concludes with a smile.

Following constructive discussions and commercial negotiations at the SOHO yard in Jiangsu, the contract was signed. Throughout the process, the yard demonstrated a positive and solution-oriented attitude.