Two Harren (Ems) based shipping companies, Reederei Wessels and HS Shipping Group, have each ordered two new Damen Combi Freighter 3850 (CF 3850) vessels from the Dutch shipbuilder Damen. They are now under construction.

They are being built in series at the Damen Yichang Shipyard in China. These four newly designed general cargo vessels have a length of 89.70 metres, a beam of 12.50 metres, and a 3850 tonnes deadweight. With a hydrodynamic hull shape, the vessels are able to maintain over 10 knots of speed in headwinds when loaded, while needing less power. As such, smaller engines, which use less fuel, can be used.

After several years, coastal shipping, or short sea shipping, has once again started to return steady profits. In addition, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the European Union (EU) have developed stricter environmental guidelines. As a result, many ship owners have seen fit to renew their fleets, as most short sea vessels were built over a decade ago, according to Damen.

The Damen Combi Freighter 3850 (CF 3850) vessels score very highly on the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), meaning that the design is likely to live up to emission standards for years to come. This has not gone unnoticed by customers. In addition to these four vessels, 13 others have been ordered by various clients. For instance, Blue Fin Shipping has also ordered two vessels, currently being assembled, which are scheduled for delivery during the fourth quarter of 2022.