SHORT-SEA FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY GAINS

The newbuilds ordered from Bijlsma Shipyard at Lemmer, in Friesland, promise a 20% reduction in overall fuel consumption relative to existing, similar size tonnage and have been specified with ‘cold ironing’ arrangements.

The project has been implemented by a joint venture of short-sea specialist Longship, headquartered at Groningen, and VMS Shipping Group of Werkendam. Expansion-minded Longship will be responsible for commercial management of the versatile, 103m vessels, while VMS will provide the technical management oversight.

Prompt deliveries are expected during the final quarter of 2021 and the opening quarter of 2022 from Bijlsma, part of the VEKA Shipbuilding Group, with whom Longship has an established business relationship.

The new ships will be of the Bijlsma Trader 6000 type, the 270,000ft³ hold capacity version of a popular design series used in the North European coastal and short-sea trades.

The single box-shaped hold will be suited for heavy cargo as well as the gamut of commodities transported in the intra-regional traffic, with compartmentalisation possibilities afforded by movable tweendecks.

Relative to vessel size and deadweight, the main engine specification entails a modest power rating of just 1,600kW, complemented by wider optimisation measures that include the nature of the hull lines and encasement of the controllable pitch propeller in a nozzle to maximise thrust. By comparison, VEKA’s smaller Bijlsma Trader 4500 design, some 1,500t less in deadweight and 55,000ft3 less in underdeck cargo intake, has a 1,860kW main propulsion plant.

The Bijlsma Trader 6000 sisters will also incorporate heat recovery technology, and ‘eco’ performance monitoring software, and will be equipped to draw electrical current from the shoreside grid when alongside instead of running a generator.

The total diminution in energy consumption, in relation other vessels in the 6,000dwt category, results in a corresponding cut in CO² emissions plus a favourable EEDI rating.

With roots in the Netherlands and Norway, Longship was founded 12 years ago and has rapidly developed its presence in the dry bulk short-sea segment. Towards the end of last year, the group acquired 50% of Norwegian broker and commercial manager Wagle Chartering.