A boom in the orders for Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC) emerged in 2012 after a silent two years. This was caused by the number of vessels nearing the end of their expected lifetime, low new building prices and the opportunities ahead provided by the new and wider Panama Canal which will open in 2015.
DNV is playing an important role in improving the design and dynamic operation of this ship type. The company’s competence, experience and close cooperation with key industry players has gained the trust of 24% of the market.
A boom in the orders for Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC) emerged in 2012 after a silent two years. This was caused by the number of vessels nearing the end of their expected lifetime, low new building prices and the opportunities ahead provided by the new and wider Panama Canal which will open in 2015.
DNV is playing an important role in improving the design and dynamic operation of this ship type. The company’s competence, experience and close cooperation with key industry players has gained the trust of 24% of the market.
This contract boom for PCTCs came after a period of deliveries of long newbuilding series ordered from 2007 to 2009. Much has happened since: the major owners within the segment have spent significant funds on developing the most economical new-generation PCTC designs not restricted by the existing Panama max beam of 32.26m. DNV has been involved in the pre-contract phase for many of these projects through advisory work related to feasibility studies and early design review.
The first post-Panamax PCTC order to DNV class was placed with HHI by EUKOR. Since then, we have won contracts for four other post-Panamax PCTCs for Wilhelmsen, Höegh, NYK and Ray Shipping. This is DNV’s first-ever newbuilding contract with NYK.
Cooperation and support
In close cooperation with the major shipyards that have built PCTCs during the past few decades, DNV has played an important part in improving the design to ensure the dynamic operation of this ship type. Through several accumulated years of operation, new “special” design concepts and structural solutions have been proven both feasible and more reliable. Vessels in Operation records show that the number of findings has decreased significantly for critical areas.
Over the past decade, the DNV-classed PCTC fleet has doubled in number and DNV’s market share has increased from 17% to approx. 24%. This is mainly due to continuous, close and constructive cooperation with key players in the segment through technical support and a global customer service network. Our support on operational challenges has furthermore been well received. As a consequence, the company has attracted new PCTC owners entering the market. Early involvement in the design development and design optimisation, to ensure more fuel-efficient and hence greener ships, is very important.
Hinged or flexible designs
DNV has extensive technical expertise in and experience with PCTCs, especially within the “hinged” or “flexible” design concept fleet. This concept was developed in the late 1970s in cooperation with a Norwegian owner and Japanese yard. As of March 2013, DNV’s PCTC market share was (GT > 10k):
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