Wind-powered, diesel-electric Amadeus Saffier joins HGK Shipping

Amadeus Schiffahrts- und Speditions, a subsidiary of German shipping company HGK Shipping, has enhanced its charter fleet with Amadeus Saffier, a wind-powered diesel-electric shortsea vessel.

At the beginning of October 2024, the 3,640 dwt general cargo vessel started its first journey from Antwerp, Belgium, to Gijon, Spain.

Last month, Amadeus Saffier completed its sea trials and was delivered to its owner, Dutch shipping company De Bock Maritiem, together with its sister ship Amadeus Sardius.

The vessel’s innovative design is expected to contribute to the necessary reduction in CO2 emissions within the transport sector. Equipped with a diesel-electric, future-fuel-ready drive system, the ship can switch from the fuel that is currently used, sulfur-reduced marine gas oil (MGO), to alternative, more sustainable energy sources.

The newbuild is also equipped with so-called VentoFoils, a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) provided by Dutch company Econowind. When combined with the adapted shape of the hull and an optimized propellor, this cuts up to 50% of emissions and is set to be able to achieve a level of energy efficiency that is up to 30% higher when compared to the existing international fleet.

Amadeus is operating the vessel as part of a long-term charter agreement. The operational areas for the vessel, which has been designed by Conoship and has a payload capacity of 3,500 tonnes, include bulk and break-bulk cargo on European short-sea routes in the North Sea and Baltic Sea as well as in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. Thanks to having a low draught of just 5 meters when fully loaded, the vessel can also be used to handle the transition between the open sea and the river Rhine, the Albert Canal and other inland waterways.

“Commissioning the ‘Amadeus Saffier’ marks a new chapter for our company. We’re also continuing to espouse innovations and sustainability in shipping and are placing the partnerlike cooperation with Amadeus on a broad footing,” Gilbèrt de Bock, Owner and General Manager of De Bock Maritiem, commented.

“The renewal of the European short-sea fleet is indispensable in order to meet the growing demands on the part of customers for modern transport logistics operations. The ‘Amadeus Saffier’ is an excellent example of a future-orientated, efficient fleet, which offers persuasive arguments both at sea and along inland waterways,” Steffen Bauer, the CEO of HGK Shipping, said.