Conoship International Projects (CIP) has got the ball rolling on the construction of the next generation of short sea shipping general cargo vessel. The construction of the first diesel-electric 3,600 dwt general cargo vessel suited for sea-river operations started at the Gelibolu Shipyard in Turkey.

The construction has already started in November on the building number NB60, with first steel cutting. Delivery of the vessel is expected in 2023. The construction of another five cargo vessels is planned to take place at Holland Shipyards Group in the Netherlands in 2024.

The Dutch shipyard will build two more of these 3600 dwt diesel-electric propulsion cargo vessels. An enlarged version, tween deck fitted, 3800 tdw vessel will be built three times for Hudig & Veder (Chartering) and Hartel Shipping & Chartering.

New standard

According to Conoship, this vessel can be considered the new standard for low-air draught sea-river coasters. Featuring a diesel-electric propulsion system, enlarged propeller in combination with a ConoDuctTail and optimised hull lines, its fuel consumption will be best in class, especially in wind and waves, the company said.

To further improve its performance, the design is ready for wind-assisted propulsion, as it is prepared for the placement of Econowind VentiFoils, which would reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by about 10 percent annually, depending on the sailing route.

Future-proof design

Conoship also states that the design is highly future-proof. The EEDI of the vessel as calculated as a diesel-driven vessel is already below the phase 3 requirements. Additional elements of the design arrangement facilitate a switch to future fuels. “For example take off the generators and replace them with a methanol power generator set and then put in methanol tanks as well, or take them off completely and put on liquid hydrogen tanks and fuel cells,” explains Jan Jaap Nieuwenhuis, managing director at Conoship International. “All these redesign possibilities were taken into account from the beginning of the conceptual design process.”

Conoship working on different variants of the design

The new design concept looks set to give the industry a boost, while also reducing CO₂ emissions from shipping, according to Conoship. The company is working on a number of variants of the ship, including a 3,800 dwt and 5,800 dwt version. A 5800 dwt new design concept is in development and will be brought to market soon.

“We are very proud to contribute with these ultra-fuel-efficient cargo vessels to the zero-emissions target set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for 2050”, says Maarten Sickler, director of Conoship International Projects.