JANUARY 30, 2013 — Chinese shipowner Centrans (Tianjing) Ocean Shipping has received EEDI compliance certificates for two 180,000 dwt newbuildings, an achievement it reports as being a world first in the Capesize segment. The bulk carriers were built at QingDao Beihai Shipyard in Eastern China and are each powered by a single MAN B&W 6S70MC-C8.2 low-speed engines built by Dalian Marine Diesel.

All newly built ships must meet EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) requirements from 2013. The EEDI (specifies how many grams of CO2 a ship may emit per transported ton and nautical mile travelled that all newly built ships must meet from 2013. The EEDI aims to reduce fuel consumption and resultant CO2 emissions not only through engine technology measures, but also through changes in the ship's geometry.

The Centras newbuildings saved more than 3 tons of fuel per day compared to the standard design the company had previously used in designing its Capesizers. The resultant EEDI value was calculated as being 5.38 percent lower than the reference value required by IMO in its EEDI regulations.

The vessels received their EEDI compliance certificates from Lloyds Register in late 2012.

Ole Grøne, Senior Vice President – Low-Speed Promotion & Sales – MAN Diesel & Turbo said: "This is an interesting project that shows that even our mechanical engines are capable of satisfying EEDI requirements. That said, I would add that our electronic ME-C engines are capable of delivering even better EEDI values."