Philadelphia, USA | December 15, 2025 – United Bulk Carriers USA (UBC), a subsidiary of the Hartmann Group, has reinforced its commitment to sustainable shipping by announcing a groundbreaking partnership with Heidelberg Materials Norge and the Norwegian NOx Fund. Together, they will develop a next-generation, methanol-powered pneumatic cement carrier, scheduled to commence operations in early 2028.
The project, which received NOK 60 million in critical financial support from the NOx Fund, targets a massive 80% reduction in CO2 emissions, saving approximately 6,000 tonnes of carbon annually compared to traditional fossil-fueled vessels.
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Technical Excellence & Strategic Design
This 9,000 DWT vessel is engineered specifically for high-frequency coastal distribution in Norway, transporting cement from the Brevik plant to key hubs including Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger.
- Dual-Fuel Innovation: The ship will run on a optimized mix of diesel and green methanol, allowing for operational flexibility while maintaining industry-leading emission standards.
- Enhanced Efficiency: Despite carrying 1,000 tonnes more cargo than the ship it replaces, the newbuild features an energy-optimized hull design to lower total energy consumption.
A Consolidated Partnership
The project leverages the full strength of the Hartmann Group’s maritime ecosystem:
- Hartmann Reederei: Leading the specialized vessel design and specification.
- United Bulk Carriers (UBC) USA: Handling commercial operations under a long-term 10-year charter to Heidelberg Materials.
- InterMaritime Shipmanagement: Acting as technical managers, following the recent consolidation of Intership Navigation and Interorient Shipmanagement.
“Heidelberg Materials, UBC and InterMaritime have a long-standing cooperation and are also jointly involved in other projects to reduce emissions.”
United Bulk Carriers (UBC): Future-Proofing Through Innovation
Established on May 1, 2001, as a key member of the Hartmann Group, United Bulk Carriers (UBC) has evolved from a traditional dry bulk operator into a leader in specialized, low-emission maritime logistics. While headquartered in Philadelphia, USA, the company’s 2018 expansion into Hamburg, Germany, has solidified its presence in the critical European short-sea and technical management markets.
Current Fleet & Operational Footprint
UBC operates a highly specialized fleet tailored for both global bulk trades and niche industrial logistics:
- Handysize Series: A robust fleet of bulk carriers ranging from 31,000 to 39,000 DWT, designed for maximum port flexibility.
- Pneumatic Cement Carriers: A specialized segment with vessels around 8,400–9,000 DWT, utilizing advanced self-discharging technology.
- Global Reach: Moving over 5 million tonnes of cargo annually across diverse industrial sectors.
Source: United Bulk Carriers