NTS launches LNG-powered bulker for EPS

China’s New Times Shipbuilding has hosted a launching ceremony for one LNG-powered bulk carrier it is building for Eastern Pacific Shipping.

NTS floated out the 210,000-dwt LNG dual-fuel bulk carrier, Mount Gower, on December 9 for Idan Ofer’s EPS.

The Chinese yard is building in total eleven 210,000-dwt LNG dual-fuel bulk carriers for EPS.

This 299.95 meters long LNG-powered bulker is the tenth vessel in the batch, according to NTS.

Image: NTS

Last year, EPS took delivery of the 209,000-dwt Mount Tourmaline and the 209,000-dwt, Mount Nova Terra, the first and second LNG-powered Newcastlemax bulk carriers in its fleet.

China’s Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a part of CSSC, built these two ships which serve Australian miner BHP under long-term charters.

New Times also delivered the 210,000-dwt LNG-powered bulk carrier, Mount Gaea, in November last year and this vessel serves BHP under a charter deal as well.

BHP has chartered in total five LNG-fueled Newcastlemax bulk carriers from EPS, while Rio Tinto took on charter up to six LNG dual-fuelled Newcastlemax vessels.