Chinese owner Shandong Shipping’s 250,000 dwt ore carrier Shandong Hexie has received what China Classification Society claims is the world’s first class certificate for a shipboard solar photovoltaic system.
The system uses three-phase micro-inversion technology and is expected to cut annual fuel consumption by around 33 tonnes and CO2 emissions by 102.8 tonnes.
CCS said the certification forms part of a wider efficiency programme aboard the vessel, whose design incorporates measures capable of reducing fuel consumption by about 25%.
Shandong Hexie has also been fitted with a high-voltage shore-power system certified by CCS, allowing the ship to operate without onboard emissions while alongside. The vessel was subsequently selected as a national shore-power demonstration project.
Delivered by Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry in November 2014, Shandong Hexie was the first 250,000 dwt ore carrier independently designed, built and classed in China.
Designed by China Ship Design & Research Center, the vessel trades regularly between China and Port Hedland in Western Australia carrying iron ore.
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