Klaveness debuts latest CABU III

NORWAY’s Klaveness Combination Carriers has taken delivery of the third of its evolved CABU carriers designed for the Australian trade in caustic soda and dry bulks.

Baltazar was handed over by New Yangzi Shipyard last week and has embarked on its maiden voyage Down Under, where it due to be officially named in Fremantle on 9 September.

The 83,330 DWT vessel is the third and final contracted third-generation CABU vessel, following Balder and Bastion, and the first to be equipped with wind-assisted propulsion system in KCC's fleet, as well as a range of advanced energy efficiency technologies. Baltazar brings KCC's fleet to 19 combination carriers.

Designed for trades carrying caustic soda solution to Australia and returning with dry bulk commodities, the vessel offers around a 35% lower carbon footprint and approximately 20% higher earnings capacity than KCC’s first-generation CABU vessels, the company says.

Energy efficiency measures including an air lubrication system, a shaft generator, an EcoEGR fuel-optimized main engine, and a Mewis duct. In addition, the vessel is fitted with two bound4blue eSAIL® suction sails, making it the first vessel in KCC's fleet to utilize wind-assisted propulsion technology. The vessel is also prepared for future retrofitting to enable the use of zero or near-zero emission fuels.

With the delivery of Baltazar, KCC now operates a full fleet of 11 CABU and eight CLEANBU combination carriers.

KCC says the latest delivery builds on decades of combination carrier operations in Australia, where the owner’s unique ability to combine wet and dry bulk cargoes results in highly efficient trading with limited ballasting.

“The CABU activities have become an integrated part of the aluminum value chain supporting customers' supply chains and long-term logistics planning. With these three CABU newbuilds, KCC’s service will further improve flexibility and cost efficiency of the scope three emissions of our customers’ ocean freight,” it said.

“Reflecting the importance of these trades and KCC's longstanding presence in the region, following Baltazar’s maiden voyage KCC will host customers, partners and industry stakeholders for the vessel’s naming ceremony in Fremantle, Western Australia on 9 September.”