Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) has celebrated the naming of its vessel, Baltazar (IMO 1032218), in Fremantle, Western Australia, bringing together customers, partners, crew members, representatives from the Western Australian maritime community, shareholders and colleagues to mark an important milestone for the company.
The event was held at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal and included a traditional Welcome to Country by the Wadumbah Aboriginal Dance Group before the official naming ceremony.
The vessel was officially named by Lady Sponsor and Deputy Premier of Western Australia, Rita Saffioti, following remarks from Engebret Dahm, CEO of KCC, and Ernst Meyer, CEO of Torvald Klaveness. Guests later boarded the vessel for a walk-through and had the opportunity to meet members of the crew. Shipping Australia was represented at the ceremony by Board Member Kristy Craker.
MV Baltazar is the final vessel in KCC’s CABU III newbuilding series and represents the culmination of years of planning, design and collaboration across KCC, its partners and the shipyard.
During his remarks, Dahm reflected on the journey that brought the vessel into service. “MV Baltazar completes the project that started around six years ago in KCC. She is the result of thorough planning, innovative design, and lots and lots of hard work by my esteemed colleagues in KCC, the shipyard, our inspection team and others involved in this project.”
The ceremony also served as an opportunity to recognize the people who operate KCC’s vessels every day and make the company’s service possible: “The officers and crew of our vessels are the heart of everything we do in KCC. They are our face to the world, delivering the transportation service our customers depend on, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality and environmental performance.”
Speaking to the crew onboard MV Baltazar and the wider KCC fleet, Dahm thanked the seafarers and shore-based teams who support the vessels around the clock for their dedication, professionalism and commitment year-round. He also recognized Captain Bogdan Prajica, who received the Klaveness company flag on behalf of MV Baltazar during the ceremony.
KCC thanked everyone who joined the celebration in Fremantle, including customers, partners, representatives from the maritime community, as well as the many people who contributed to bringing MV Baltazar from concept to reality.
Klaveness operates combination carriers, which are capable of transporting both wet and dry bulk cargoes. According to the company, the vessels emit up to 40% less carbon dioxide per transported ton when compared to standard tankers and bulkers.
Fact sheet: MV Baltazar
Vessel name: MV Baltazar
Owner: KCC Shipowning AS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Klaveness Combination Carriers ASA
Vessel type: combination carrier (wet and dry bulk)
Deadweight: Approximately 83,300 DWT
Length overall: 228.4 meters
Beam: 34.8 meters
Flag: Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS)
Classification society: DNV
Trade focus: Australia inbound and outbound trades
Typical inbound cargoes: Caustic soda solution and fertilizer products (UAN)
Typical outbound cargoes: Alumina, iron ore, grain, salt and other dry bulk commodities
Energy-efficiency technologies:
- Two 27-metre bound4blue eSAIL suction sails
- Air lubrication system
- Shaft generator
- EcoEGR fuel-optimized main engine
- Mewis duct
- Prepared for future retrofit to zero or near-zero emission fuels
