First of a new G5 RoRo class delivered

The Great Antwerp is the inaugural vessel of the new ‘G5’ class, based on the earlier ‘G4’ class delivered to Grimaldi in 2014 and 2015.

Guido Grimaldi, deep sea commercial & operations director of the Grimaldi Group said the ship marked the ‘beginning of a new era’ for the group.

“After the success of our five G3-class, six G4-class, as well as ten Eurocargo-class ships, all built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, we now inaugurate a new class of RoRo multipurpose vessels called ‘G5’.

“This new series of ships responds even more efficiently to the demand for quality transport services on deep sea routes and to the needs related to the protection of the environment,” he added.

Named after the group’s headquarters in Belgium, the 250 metre Great Antwerp has a deadweight of 45,684 tonnes and can transport 4,700 linear metres of rolling freight, 2,500 car equivalent units and 2,000 teu. Container capacity is double that of its predecessor.

Both the main engine and auxiliary diesel generators will meet Tier III NOx levels regulation whilst the integrated propulsion system between rudder and propeller is said to minimise vortex losses, optimising efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.

Frequency drive devices help reduce energy use on board and hybrid exhaust gas scrubbers limit sulphur and particulate emissions. Capable of using shoreside power where available, the G5 class also features low friction paints to reduce hull resistance. CO2 emissions savings of up to 43% compared to other Grimaldi multipurpose RoRos are expected.

All six G5 units will be delivered between 2023 and 2024 for operation on Grimaldi Group services between northern Europe and west Africa.