• MV Sir John Fisher is the first 6,000dwt chemical tanker to incorporate LNG dual fuel propulsion technology
  • The vessel is capable of achieving a 45 percent reduction in carbon emissions, in addition to a 93 percent reduction in NOx and 45 percent reduction in SOx
  • The addition to the James Fisher fleet demonstrates the company’s commitment to its sustainability goals and to helping customers realise their environmental targets 

James Fisher takes delivery of MV Sir John Fisher, the first of two 6,000dwt LNG dual-fuel tankers that will be traded by James Fisher Everard (JFE) alongside its existing fleet.

Equipped with highly efficient dual-fuel engines, the tanker, and her sister vessel Lady Maria (expected to follow in 2023), are able to run on liquified natural gas (LNG) as a cleaner alternative to conventional marine gasoil. The two vessels also incorporate innovations in design and construction technology to further enhance hydrodynamic performance, to improve operational efficiency, reduce GHG emissions and improve local air quality. Their extensive, centralised waste heat recovery system also helps minimise GHG emissions.

Each vessel is capable of achieving a 45 percent reduction in carbon emissions, in addition to a 93 percent reduction in NOx and 45 percent reduction in SOx.

The vessels will reduce the fleet’s overall greenhouse gas emissions and will also help customers looking to contribute to sustainability improvements.  

Built and launched at China Merchants Jinling (CMJL) shipyard in Yangzhou, China, the dual-fuel tanker underwent sea trials prior to delivery, during which the project manager, ship manager, and the vessel’s chief engineer and master all provided onsite support. Additional supervision was also provided by the team at marine consultancy specialist, Alpha Marine Consulting, who helped see MV Sir John Fisher through these crucial stages in preparation for her delivery.

Krystyna Tsochlas, Managing Director at James Fisher Tankships, says:

Everyone at James Fisher is looking forward to introducing customers to MV Sir John Fisher when she arrives in Northwest Europe early next year. With a dual fuel engine and the ability to alternate between fuel types, both she and her sister vessel, the Lady Maria, demonstrate our commitment to a new, more sustainable future for our shipping operations.

This couldn’t have been achieved without our onsite team and those at CMJL and Alpha Marine Consulting, whose dedication and hard work helped us see Sir John Fisher through to her delivery.

Iain Salter, Project Engineer at James Fisher Shipping Services and technical lead for this project, adds:

I am extremely impressed with how the yard, together with the support of our Alpha Marine Site team, has managed to overcome the significant challenges and disruptions that Covid has posed throughout the build programme. Together they have demonstrated a number of the same core values as James Fisher, notably energy and resilience, in achieving delivery within the required timescale.

I have been especially impressed with the final quality that has been achieved, and the results from sea trials show that she will exceed all of the very challenging design conditions that were initially set.

The addition of LNG dual-fuel capability to the fleet attests to the Group’s determination to contribute to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) GHG reduction targets and to support the realisation of both its customers and its own environmental goals.

Jean Vernet, Chief Executive Officer, James Fisher and Sons plc, says:

Customer satisfaction and sustainability are core to James Fisher and we recognise that our everyday activities are inextricably linked with pressing, global environmental considerations related to climate change and energy demand. The addition of our first dual-fuel propulsion vessel, Sir John Fisher, to our existing fleet will help us serve our customers’ needs in a more sustainable, less carbon-intensive way, while helping to realise our own sustainability ambitions.

That we have reached this milestone despite the challenges of the pandemic is testament to the hard work and effective partnership of the teams involved.

Once in operation, MV Sir John Fisher and Lady Maria will replace two of James Fisher’s existing tankers and, while identical in terms of dimensions, will be able to carry more cargo due to their increased deadweight. Both tankers have also been specifically designed for restricted access ports around the coastline of Northern Europe, which will enable JFE to better service existing long-term contracts.