Dutch shipyard debuts ‘future-ready’ diesel-electric multipurpose vessel

The Netherlands-based Thecla Bodewes Shipyards has christened and launched the 5,050 dwt diesel-electric multipurpose vessel Iana, which the yard built for compatriot short-sea shipping company Transtal Shipping as part of the latter’s fleet renewal strategy.

As disclosed, the dry cargo vessel, with a length of 87.3 meters and a draught of 6.3 meters, is the first one in the so-called SALMO series that is said to have been ‘designed and built with sustainability in mind’.

Specifically, the vessel batch, spanning deadweight capacities between 5,050 dwt and 6,500 dwt, is reportedly over 32% below the current IMO EEDI phase 3 requirement, which stipulates all ships to achieve at least a 30% reduction, with some types required to target up to 50%.

As informed, the diesel-electric propelled series is fitted with three generator sets of 532bkW each and a divided power with two electric 600 ekW motors, believed to enable ‘more efficient’ fuel consumption. The ships are also said to emit low emissions and require low operational expenditure (OPEX).

Additionally, according to Thecla Bodewes Shipyards, the hull shape of the SALMO vessels has been optimized for this type of propulsion, drawing on design elements from earlier ships and the larger 7,280 dwt LABRAX series.

The shipyard also shared that the Iana and the rest of the batch are “future-ready”, given that they were built with enough space to fit a future use of alternative fuels such as methanol and hydrogen without replacing the electric propulsion system.

When it comes to the LABRAX series, Dutch short-sea shipping company Vertom Group showed interest in it a few years back when the company placed an order for ten diesel-electric dry bulk vessels from Thecla Bodewes.

The first of the ships, the 7,000 dwt MV Vertom Patty was delivered back in 2022, followed by the handover of the Vertom Cyta in February 2023, the Vertom Tomma in July 2023, and the Vertom Anne Marit in November of that same year.

The fifth vessel, Vertom Anette, was reportedly launched in April 2024, while the sixth one, Vertom Lisa, joined its sister fleet two months later.