In Japan, Drax Group (Drax) has named and launched the m.v. ‘Ultra Yorkshire’, the latest addition to the fleet of dry bulk vessels operated by global dry bulk major Ultrabulk A/S. The naming ceremony was held on July 11, 2024, at the Shin Kurushima Shipyard in Kochi.
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Drax Power Station in Yorkshire, UK beginning to generate power.
To celebrate this occasion the owners of the new ship, Ultrabulk A/S, the Danish-based leading global dry bulk operator with a 170+ fleet of Panamax, Supramax, and Handysize vessels, invited Drax to name their latest vessel.
Drax selected the name in tribute to the county that is home to the power station.
Recognition of a longstanding partnership
Drax and Ultrabulk have a longstanding partnership. A subsidiary of Ultranav, a privately owned group of shipping companies, Ultrabulk is Drax’s largest freight provider and plays a key role in the company’s biomass supply chain, shipping sustainable wood pellets to Drax Power Station in the UK and its Japanese customers.
We are proud to celebrate the Drax Group and their 50th anniversary through the launch of the m.v. Ultra Yorkshire. This vessel is a great symbol of our long-standing partnership and shared commitment to sustainability and efficient logistics. We have always appreciated our close collaboration with Drax, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership for many years to come, said Hans-Christian Olesen, CEO at Ultrabulk.
The m.v. ‘Ultra Yorkshire’ is a 40,000 dwt handysize bulk carrier and the launch ceremony was attended by representatives from Drax, Ultrabulk, the Shin Kirushima shipyard, and a number of Japanese corporations.
We are honoured that Ultrabulk allowed us to name the Ultra Yorkshire as part of Drax Power Station’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. It was a privilege to participate in the launch ceremony of the new ship. Drax Power Station has kept the lights on for millions of homes and businesses across the UK over the years and, following its conversion to biomass generation, companies in our supply chain like Ultrabulk have become critical to its continued operation. We are proud of our strong and longstanding relationship with Ultrabulk, said Mark Gibbens, Head of Logistics at Drax Group.
