Two long-term partners in the same city celebrated a very special delivery when Utkilen's new vessel was named ship number 4,000 in operation to be fitted with Framo pumps.

“It feels like an extra special celebration of ship number 4,000 with our pump systems  when we have such a good, long lasting relationship with the customer,” says Martijn Bergink, CEO at Framo.

Framo has delivered pumps for chemical tankers since the end of the 1960s, and the strong presence of chemical tanker companies in Bergen has been important for Framo as a supplier.

On Friday 15 May 2020, Bergen shipping company Utkilen received delivery of their new vessel named “Saltstraum”. This was ship number 4,000 operating with Framo pumps on board. “Saltstraum” is the third in a series of four new chemical tankers ordered by Utkilen from Avic Dingheng shipyard in China and fitted with pumps produced by Framo in West Norway.

“We are extremely proud to take delivery of these newbuildings that represent the chemical tankers of the future. They will sail along the Norwegian coast for many years to come. Although the ships are built in China, most of the equipment is from Norway and Europe, such as the Framo pumps. These vessels are a long step towards the IMO 2050 targets,”says Leif Larsen, newbuilding director at Utkilen.

The first sister ship in Utkilen's new series set sail from the shipyard in June 2019. She will now be joined by “Saltstraum”. The ship represents a new era for chemical tankers, with the environment, energy saving, efficiency and simple maintenance top priorities in all the on-board solutions. Focus points for the fleet renewal are low CO2 and NOx emissions.

The main engines have been designed for use of natural gas (LNG) as fuel, and the ships can also be fitted with battery propulsion in the future. Compared with equivalent older ships, “Saltstraum” will have 30% lower Co2 emission, and NOx emissions will be 80 percent lower.

As with the other vessels in this series, “Saltstraum” also has capacity for zero-emission operations when at quay. These are the first vessels of their type that allow forboth loading and unloading operations using shore power.

“Although sea transport is one of the most eco-friendly alternatives for freight, it is always positive when shipping companies take the lead to make shipping even greener in connection with fleet renewals,” says Martijn Bergink from Framo.

The ship has capacity for 10 500 tonnes in a total and with 14 different stainless-steel cargo tanks, all fitted with Framo pumps. 

“We are very happy to note how Framo's solutions can also help save on fuel. Our pumping systems allow the crew to get the cargo ashore quickly, followed by a quick and efficient cleaning process, so that the ships can soon be on their way with a new cargo on board,” concludes Bergink.  

The ship will primarily be sailing in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, and has therefore been built with the highest ice class.