The two Belgium based companies CMB.TECH, being part of CMB (Compagnie Maritime Belge) shipping group, and Boeckmans announced today their collaboration by developing an order of four future-proof hydrogen-powered 5.000 dwt newbuild general cargo vessels to be built at the Dung Quat shipyard in Vietnam.
The first vessel is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2025, and after positioning to Europe they will be deployed on major sea routes, including northern Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and West Africa.
The general cargo vessels, designed jointly with Dutch based Handelskade, will contain diesel-electric engines placed under the ship’s forward accommodation, making the stern available for propulsion systems, such as hydrogen or other alternative low-carbon engines.
Pierre Durot, director of Boeckmans, pointed out that “The ship’s primary design philosophy is to achieve lower emissions through hull shaping, innovative design and the application of the latest technologies. We succeeded in reducing emissions by 40% compared to traditional general cargo vessels in diesel mode. This can be reduced even further by implementing new sustainable propulsion systems and create storage space for fuels such as hydrogen. The ship’s diesel-electric configuration simplifies the integration of new systems into the power grid.”
This partnership demonstrates the commitment of both CMB.TECH and Boeckmans to promote sustainability in the maritime sector, while providing efficient and reliable transportation solutions for global trade routes.
Alexander Saverys, chief executive of CMB.TECH said that “Through our partnership with Boeckmans, we are once again breaking new ground in maritime sustainability. Our commitment to reducing emissions through the design of these cargo ships is a huge step forward. By embracing innovative propulsion systems such as hydrogen, we are not just building ships; we are working toward a greener future for global trade routes.”
