Utkilen to invest hugely on multifuel ships and LNG retrofits

Utkilen, a Norwegian chemical tanker operator, is investing €125m ($131m). The company will invest in four multi-fuel newbuilds and the retrofitting of four existing ships to operate on LNG.

It has also contracted Turkey’s Icdas yard for the 6,700 dwt quartet that will be delivered from the beginning of 2024.

According to the company sources, the new additions will run on LNG and gas oil, while further use of methanol and ammonia is being tested.

The ships will also feature an optimal hull shape and can be facilitated for battery and shore power connections.

In addition, four of the existing fleet’s newest and most modern ships will be fit to operate on LNG fuel in 2022 and 2023.