Norwegian Carriers (NOCC), a subsidiary of JP Morgan, has confirmed that it has placed an order with CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering Pte Ltd (CIMC Raffles) for two 7,000 ceu liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel car and truck carriers (PCTCs).
In a recent post on its social media, NOCC said it has reached an agreement with CIMC Raffles for the construction of two 7,000 ceu LNG dual-fuel PCTCs, with the first unit expected to be delivered in 2025 and the second unit expected to be delivered in 2026. The value of the order has not been disclosed.
The order was initially reported in November 2023 but has never been confirmed by the owner. According to sources at the time, the order included optional ships, but the exact number was not known. The first two new PCTCs, with hull numbers H610 and H611, will have the ammonia-ready notation granted by DNV, in addition to the ability to run on LNG fuel.
NOCC was formed in 2010 through the merger of Eidsiva Rederi ASA (founded in 1930) and Dyvi Shipping AS (founded in 1955), which took delivery of the world’s first dedicated ro-ro PCTC, the Dyvi Anglia, in 1964.
In 2014, NOCC was acquired by private equity investors and delisted from the Oslo Stock Exchange. It is now a privately held company, wholly owned by a consultancy firm of JP Morgan’s Global Transportation Group.
According to NOCC’s official website, NOCC’s fleet currently consists of three PCTCs built between 2009 and 2017, namely the 6,500 ceu Liberty Passion built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (built in 2017), the NOCC Oceanic built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (built in 2012), and the 6,754 ceu NOCC Atlantic built by Samjin Shipbuilding Industries Co., Ltd (Weihai) (built in 2009).
Earlier this month, CIMC Raffles also signed a contract with Faroese shipping company Smyril Line for the construction of two methanol reserved ro-ro vessels, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026. The cost of the individual vessels has not yet been announced. This order has been financed by KfW IPEX-Bank in the amount of 90 million euros (about 700 million yuan).