Vertom books two more methanol/hydrogen-ready electric bulkers

Dutch short sea shipping company Vertom Group has placed an order for two additional diesel-electric dry cargo vessels of LABRAX class from compatriot shipyard Thecla Bodewes Shipyards.

As informed, two extra vessels will have the same specifications, including the optimised hull shape and diesel-electric propulsion system. The LABRAX vessels, with a 118-metre length, 14.30-metre beam and 6.20-metre draught, are developed to Vertom’s requirements.

The completely box-shaped cargo holds will ensure maximum loading flexibility and cargo intake. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) optimisation of the hull design has been performed for fuel-efficient speed-power performance, according to the company.

The vessel is powered by a future-proof modular electric propulsion system to achieve EEDI numbers that are well below the future International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards.

This modular propulsion concept is designed to be ready for future developments, by means of the ability to make the vessels’ propulsion methanol-electric or hydrogen-electric and to further reduce carbon emissions.

The first vessel of the series, Vertom Patty, was launched on 23 September 2022. The sea trials in the North Sea took place in December 2022, after which the ship was delivered to the company.

The vessel’s maiden voyage has shown the vessel is achieving Vertom’s fuel consumption targets.

The Dutch company also revealed that the upcoming launch of Vertom Cyta will be on 23 February 2023.

Hull construction works for the next vessels in the LABRAX series have already started at Thecla Bodewes Shipyards and with the additional ordered vessels, further deliveries are scheduled from 2023 to 2025.