• 07 Oct 2016

Volkswagen Group has announced that, from 2019 onwards, it will use two LNG-powered vessels to transport vehicles between Europe and North America. The vessels will be chartered from Siem Car Carriers AS, and will replace two of the nine freighters fuelled by heavy fuel oil (HFO which are used in a round trip scheme across the North Atlantic serving the markets of Canada, the USA, Mexico and Europe.

The carriers will be approximately 200 m long, 36 m wide, and capable of carrying approximately 4500 vehicles. They will also both feature a 3000 m3 LNG tank installed below deck, as well as a 12 600 kW engine developed by MAN Diesel & Turbo.

Volkswagen is also considering the changeover of other conventionally powered freighters to LNG drive systems and the use of LNG-powered RoRo car carriers on other routes as well.

Thomas Zernechel, Head of Group Logistics, added: “Compared with other means of transport, marine shipping is one of the most efficient possibilities. Volkswagen Group Logistics already transports half of the vehicles produced by sea. We are continuously working on the optimisation of our marine transport systems. The chartered vessels on which a decision has already been taken are the first milestone.

Kenneth Ross, the CEO of Siem Car Carriers AS, said: “We are pleased to have taken on board a partner as Volkswagen Group Logistics, with whom we can pursue this innovative, future-oriented approach to roll-on/roll-off transport (RoRo) for the first time. The use of LNG-powered car carriers not only makes this type of marine transport  more environmentally compatible but will also make the entire operation significantly more efficient in the long-term.”