Siem Car Carriers has placed into operation of the second of two LNG-powered Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) on charter to Volkswagen.

The second vessel, Siem Aristotle, was delivered in October by Xiamen Shipbuilding in China and it is now underway on her maiden voyage departing from Emden, Germany to North America with over 4,800 cars loaded. Prior to departure, the vessel loaded over 800 metric tonnes of Shell-supplied LNG fuel from the LNG bunkering vessel Engie Zeebrugge.

Operating exclusively for Volkswagen Group, the 7,500 CEU-capacity Siem Aristotle and sister vessel Siem Confucious, delivered March 2020, are the largest of only a few car carriers to operate using liquified natural gas. The vessels measure 200 meters long and 38 meters wide with a maximum draft of 10 meters sailing speed of up to 19 nautical miles per hour.

The vessels are managed by SCC’s sister company, Siem Ship Management based in Gdynia, Poland.

Siem Car Carriers says that by using LNG fuel, the ships can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25%, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 30%, particulate matter by up to 60% and sulphur oxide emissions by up to 100%.

As part of her maiden voyage, Siem Aristotle has already made calls at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Baltimore, Maryland and Vera Cruz, Mexico.