Ship design and engineering firm Conoship International Projects has released details of a new wind-assisted general cargo vessel suited for sea-river operations. According to the company, the new design offers significant fuel savings and other environmental advantages.
Equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion systemand optimised hull lines, the ship has an enlarged propeller combined with the company’s so-called ConoDuctTail aft hull design, which it says can reduce emissions and fuel consumption by as much as half compared to older existing vessels of same size. Taken together, these design elements will ensure that the ship’s fuel consumption will be best in class, especially in wind and waves, the company claims. The design also capable of incorporating wind-assisted propulsion through the placement of two Econowind VentiFoils, which would reduce the fuel consumption and carbon emissions by a further ten per cent or so, depending on the sailing route.
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In its current diesel-driven form, the 88-metre vessel’s energy efficiency design index is already about 35 per cent below the phase 3 requirements; however, switching to future fuels such as liquid hydrogen or ammonia has been made simple due to the fact that the requirements of these future fuels were taken into account from the beginning of the conceptual design process.
According to Conoship International Projects, the construction of the vessels can be carried out competitively at a variety of shipyards in northwestern Europe, thanks to production-friendly construction principles, optimised logistics and increased series effects. The first series of six of the vessels will be constructed at Fosen Yard Emden, Germany, with the entire series expected to be delivered in 2023.
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‘We are very proud that this ultra-fuel-efficient cargo vessel is developed according to our philosophy to build in series in the north of Europe,’ said Maarten Sickler, director of Conoship International Projects.
‘We are delighted with the order,’ said Carsten Stellamanns, managing director of Fosen Yard Emden. ‘The order is intended to become a flagship project and attract other similar projects to the region.’