BATTERY POWER FOR UK NEWBUILD COASTER

The contract for a 90-metre singledecker is the fourth of the Bodewes Trader 4800 type ordered by the company from Dutch shipbuilder Royal Bodewes. Unlike the preceding newbuilds, however, the latest vessel will be equipped with a bank of batteries to reduce diesel genset operating time, fuel consumption and associated emissions. This is thought to be the first such installation specified for a British coaster.

To be named Scot Isles, the general-purpose trader is scheduled to be launched during the third quarter of 2021 from Bodewes’ premises at Hoogezand, on the Winschoterdiep waterway in the north Netherlands.

The third newbuild in the Scotline series, Scot Ranger, is expected to be side-launched at Hoogezand next month, with a view to handover at the beginning of January 2021. The first and second ships, Scot Carrier and Scot Explorer, were brought into service in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

The Bodewes Trader 4800 class offers an underdeck cargo volume of some 240,000ft3 and an overall timber-fitted load capacity of 6,800m3, well suited to Scotline’s particular strengths in forestry product transportation, as well as bulk goods and project shipments.

The UK firm’s decision to exercise its option on a fourth such vessel denotes not only a further long-term commitment to the north European shortsea market but also an extension to a successful business relationship. Scotline’s commercial manager Jon Millatt observed that “Throughout the build of the three vessels, both parties have had regular and open dialogue, looking at different ideas and concepts in order for the partnership to work well for both family-owned companies. The Scot Ranger will be the next addition to Scotline’s fleet of 10 owned vessels. Currently, Scotline has 16 ships in its fleet, range from 1,300dwcc (deadweight carrying capacity) to 4,500dwcc, which gives wide scope for meeting customers’ varying needs.”

As with the Scot Ranger, the Scot Isles will be constructed to Swedish/Finnish ice class 1A standard, enhanced from the 1B level of the first two ships. Ice strengthening reflects the operational demands of ensuring year-round continuity in the Baltic traffic, including Scotline’s regular services linking Sweden and eastern Baltic states with Britain and Ireland.

The series employs MaK medium-speed diesel propulsion, in the shape of a six-cylinder engine of the compact M25C design producing 1,850kW for a speed of around 11-12 knots. The initial adoption of an 80kWh energy storage system (ESS) in the newly-ordered ship will yield periods of electrical power supply without having to engage the main generator. The genset will be retained to ensure full load coverage across the vessel’s operating profile, and for back-up and safety reasons.

The array of batteries will lend itself to charging from the shoreside grid , and the system will act as a technology demonstrator to help determine future requirements.

The company’s owned ships are all registered under the British flag and classed with Lloyd’s Register, and the same will apply to the newbuild tonnage. The fleet is complemented by group-owned terminals in the UK at Rochester and Inverness, such that Scotline can provide, tailored all-in-one services encompassing shipping, stockholding and distribution, as well as fixing spot cargoes for its vessels.