VIDEO: Conoship’s wind-assisted cargo vessel hits the water in Türkiye

Turkish shipbuilder Gelibolu Shipyard has launched a diesel-electric, wind-assisted general cargo vessel for Dutch shipping company Conoship International.

The 3600 tdw vessel, identified as NB60, is a testament to innovation, future-proofing, and environmental consciousness in the realm of general cargo transport for inland and coastal waters, according to Conoship.

The construction of the vessel started in December 2022. The general cargo vessel, suited for sea-river operations, has a diesel-electric propulsion system, an enlarged propeller in combination with a ConoDuctTail, and optimized hull lines.

According to Conoship, the design is ready for wind-assisted propulsion, as it is prepared for the placement of Econowind VentiFoils, which is estimated to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by about 10% annually, depending on the sailing route.

Oya Aksoy, a board member of Gelibolu Shipyard, shared insights into the collaboration, stating: “The CIP 3600 was a strong proposal for us. We were impressed with the research that had gone into the design, from modern building techniques to features regarding the vessel’s operation. It was also important to us that the design balanced practicality with the long-view over the vessel’s lifetime, allowing for flexibility regarding future fuel innovations and changes in emissions legislation.”

“Wonderful to witness a smooth launching of NB60! We spent many years developing this design and have had an excellent cooperation with Gelibolu Shipyard over the last year. Really exciting to see the ship in the water!” Roel Blom, Project Manager at Conoship International added.

Two more of these 3600 tdw diesel-electric propulsed cargo vessels will be constructed by the Dutch-based company Holland Shipyards Group, with plans to construct five more cargo vessels in the Netherlands in 2024.