Longship rings the welcome bell to latest ultra-low emission diesel-electric cargo vessel

Dutch shortsea ship operator and logistics company Longship recently took delivery of the 8,600 dwt ultra-low emission diesel-electric general cargo vessel Longearth, the third in a series of four units booked at Türkiye’s Atlas Shipyard.

As disclosed, the Groningen-headquartered shipping player held a welcoming ceremony for the 140.5-meter long Longearth on February 28, 2025. The company shared that the vessel was officially launched and christened in June, 2024, after which it underwent preparations to ensure it was ‘ready to meet the standards of both efficiency and sustainability.’

All of the four units in the series were reportedly designed in collaboration with the Netherlands-based naval architect firm Ankerbeer BV.

Much like its sister ships, owing to the diesel-electric propulsion system, Longearth is expected to accomplish a 45% lower fuel consumption when compared to the currently prevailing vessel types of similar sizes, as well as ‘tremendous’ reductions in harmful pollutant emissions.

According to Longship, the newbuilding’s design is compliant with the EU Stage V standards related to non-road mobile machinery (NRWMM). In addition to this, the company’s ultra-low emission quartet is said to hold the Prepared for Methanol C as a hybrid alternative class notation.

To remind, Longship placed the order for the four cargo vessels back in January 2023 when it was revealed that, on top of their environmental specifications, the units would also boast an ‘optimized’ design for the transport of biomass solid fuels.

The inaugural vessel in the series, christened Longera, was welcomed on June 25, 2024. The second cargo ship, the 130.5-meter long Longeon, joined Longship’s fleet just months later, namely in late October.

In other, recent news, pressing on with its fleet expansion ambitions, Longship booked two 3,700 dwt general cargo vessels at compatriot shipyard GS Projects in late December 2024.

Per Greek shipbroker Intermodal, the newbuildings are planned to be handed over sometime during this year. The value of the signed contract was not disclosed. The deal came against the backdrop of another collaboration with GS Projects, as well as Ship and Steelbuilding (SaS) and Groot Ship Design.

Revealed in early September last year, the joint effort was described as an opportunity to focus on developing vessels designed for “highly efficient fuel consumption and advanced eco-friendly technologies”.