Innovative eco-friendly MPP designs receive AIP

Shanghai Shipbuilding Research and Design Institute (SDARI) has worked with Toepfer Transport to develop two multipurpose (MPP) vessel designs. Called OCTOPUS 12.6 and OCTOPUS 12, the vessels feature ground-breaking green technologies. 

According to Toepfer Transport, these ships represent a major leap in eco-friendly and efficient maritime solutions, promising significant advancements in cargo handling and fuel economy.

Furthermore, SDARI, part of the China State Shipbuilding Group, was awarded the Approval-in-Principle (AIP) certificate from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) for two innovative vessels, the 12,600-ton multi-purpose vessel OCTOPUS 12.6 (HL500) and the 12,000-ton multi-purpose vessel OCTOPUS 12.

The trio jointly developed the designs over eight months. The trio said that the vessels adhere to the highest energy efficiency and emissions standards, meeting Stage III of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Tier III nitrogen oxide emissions standards. They feature the intelligent DOSS energy efficiency management system, developed in-house by SDARI, offering options for both two-stroke or four-stroke engines, and methanol as a fuel choice.

The OCTOPUS 12.6 (HL500) shows substantial improvements over its predecessor, the 12,500-ton F500 (2014). It includes a single cargo hold and dual 250-ton deck cranes. The superstructure has been moved from the stern to the bow, enhancing navigation and manoeuvrability. Its deck cargo area has expanded by about 40 per cent making it ideal for transporting large engineering equipment, while its fuel consumption has been reduced by approximately 15 per cent.

The OCTOPUS 12 has also evolved from its 2004 predecessor, the F-type. It features a more compact design, lower construction costs, and improved fuel efficiency, with a reduction of about 56 per cent. It comes equipped with two 80-ton up to 120-ton deck cranes and an enlarged cargo hold, optimized for general and bulk cargo.

The OCTOPUS ship platform allows for versatile configurations across the 12,000-ton size segment, facilitating quick cost estimations and reducing construction times. The OCTOPUS 12.6 design can be modified to create the extended OCTOPUS 12.6XL or the shorter OCTOPUS 12.6XS, while the OCTOPUS 12 can also be adapted to a shortened version.

Toepfer Transport, a specialized shipbroker based in Hamburg, Germany, plays a pivotal role in this joint development project and is acting as the sole and exclusive broker for these new designs, ensuring a streamlined market introduction and client engagement for these advanced vessels.

Hannes Hollaender, managing partner and newbuilding broker with Toepfer Transport, highlights, “Our innovative approach to developing a new type of ship for the MPP market stems from a synthesis of our market intelligence-driven shipbroking, the expertise and proficiency of a leading vessel design powerhouse, and collaboration with the most recognized Classification Society in the MPP sector. We take pride in our involvement in this project, which has produced cutting-edge vessel designs offering unparalleled versatility in size and propulsion options.”