Dutch shipbuilder Ferus Smit has launched the second of two of the world’s first LNG-powered dry cargo ships. 

The MV Ireland (Nb. 435), a devoted cement service, was sideways launched March 19 on the firm’s Westerbroak shipyard in northeast Netherlands.

The Ireland and sister vessel MV Greenland, which was delivered in December, are constructed for JT Cement, a three way partnership between Erik Thun AB  and KG Jebsen Cement of Norway.

SEE ALSO: MV Greenland, World’s First LNG-Powered Dry Cargo Ship

The Ireland and Greenland are the primary dry cargo ships to be powered by liquified pure gasoline. The design incorporates a novel LNG gasoline tank positioned in an upright place within the foreship. 

The vessels additionally characteristic a state-of-the-art cement cargo system, which makes use of a completely automated cement loading and unloading system that makes use of compressed air for fluidization of cement.

The MV Greenland was delivered to JT Cement in December and is already in service.