Gerdes Green placed a second combi freighter order at Damen Shipyards Group. The shipbuilder said like the first vessel, which is under construction by Damen, the latest order will feature a wide range of innovative solutions aimed at optimising efficiency and advancing the vessel’s sustainable performance.
No price has been revealed but the shipbuilder said that the next generation combi freighter 3850 vessel has been redeveloped using computational fluid dynamics and modern tooling to ensure utmost efficiency.
Together with Gerdes Green, Damen has developed a battery hybrid version of the CF 3850 vessel.
The vessel is able to sail for short durations on fully electric power, reducing emissions when, for example operating in populated areas or approaching port.
Additional features of the vessel include its ability to hook up to electrical shore power, the capability to sail on reduced emission B100 bio-diesel fuel, and wind assisted ship propulsion.
This comes in the form of Econowind foldable ventofoils, the shipbuilder said.
Gerdes Green, a joint venture between Reederei Gerdes and over-C, has received a subsidy from the German government for investment in the sustainable innovations featured on the vessels. The subsidy is part of the Namkü directive.
Reederei Gerdes and Damen have been working together since the early 2000s. In that time, the shipbuilder has delivered a total of eight vessels to the company.
“Sustainability is a key demand of industry today and is, therefore, of utmost importance to the maritime sector,” said Gerdes Green managing partner Nicole Gerdes.
“The vessels we have ordered from Damen form a part of our bid to act now. With these ships, we will be able to gain experience with sustainable technologies. The lessons we learn will help us to advance, step-by-step, towards a carbon neutral fleet,” Gerdes added.
