Damen launches Dutch combi-freighter

Damen Shipyards Bergum, part of the Dutch Damen Shipyards group, has recently handed over a new Damen Combi Freighter 3850 to owners Hartel Shipping and Hudig & Veder.

Designed for oversize cargo parcel service, but with the flexibility to carry smaller project cargo, the concept behind the ship owes much to the particular way its owners and associated stakeholders have been structured as a ‘limited partnership’ (LP). The partnership has invested in a series of four ships, of which this delivery, the Hoogvliet, is the last. The three previous vessels, Geervliet, Heenvliet and Haringvliet, were also built by Damen, and the constant input from the LP members ensured that the series has evolved. The LP participants come from various parts of the logistics chain, including shippers, stevedore companies and others described as having “an affinity for the maritime industry”. Technical manager Peter Kroezen of Kroezen Shipsupport has been named as one interested party who has been closely involved in all four newbuildings in the series.

Damen sales manager Remko Bouma says that the combination of an ‘old’ company such as Hudig & Veder and Hartel Shipping and the other expert stakeholders has provided fruitful conditions for tailor-made production and delivery. He says that the clients became closely involved with the second and third in the series, building on the previous ships to improve the breed, and the Hoogvliet represents the pinnacle of this particular evolution. Mr Bouma points to the enhancements to the Hoogvliet design achieved through fitting tween decks to achieve maximum efficiency, maximum fuel capacity, a larger bow thruster for improved manoeuvrability and a larger crew accommodation thus providing more space and comfort.

Hudig & Veder MD and owner Lex Fontein says that the added value of the LP construction consists of the participants and their input of knowhow and knowledge from an international perspective of the trade, and their easy-going collaboration.

From the outset, the owners aimed for cost effectiveness through the deployment of relatively low tonnage vessels. “Costs of those are many times lower than of deploying 10,000t carriers,” Hartel Shipping MD John Brobbel says. “It is obvious that smaller vessels can call at smaller ports, although those of ours also call the ports of Antwerp, Hamburg and ports in the Baltic, starting from Rotterdam.”

The Hoogvliet, is 88.6m length oa, and despite the compact dimensions, capacity id some 3,800dwt. This is achieved in part through an 8.43metres hull height with a tween deck on half height. Having been involved in the newbuilding of the Haringvliet and the Hoogvliet from a very early stage, the client could be clear on its requirements from the start, so Damen Bergum with Hartel Shipping and Hudig & Veder have been able to achieve a made-to-measure ship, delivered at what is said to be “a competitive price”.

Naturally, fuel efficiency was a prime requirement, while Damen was able to supply its input on other regulatory and environmental matters. Mr Bouma says: “One can think of economical use of fuel, anticipation of legislation for treatment of ballast water, complying with emission directives and related issues. We provide the conditions for our customers to be geared up for the future, through technique and completion of our product.”

The Hoogvleit has been designed for the transport of various cargoes including bulk materials, steel coils, forest products and steel, as well as general cargo. She can carry 176TEU of containers, 108TEU in the hold and 68TEU on deck, with container fittings provided in the tank top and on the hatch covers. Hold capacity is 5,250m³, with the tanktop strengthened for heavy cargo up to 15t/m². Hatch dimensions are 62.7m x 10.1m. She is classed by Lloyd’s Register of shipping to carry dangerous goods to SOLAS reg 54 (II) excl Class I and VII.

Machinery comprises a MaK 8M20C main engine, rated 1,520kW at 1,000rpm, driving a 2.35m diameter CP propeller mounted in a nozzle. Electrical power comes from a 330kVA shaft generator, and two Sisu gensets, a 175kVA main set and a smaller 120kVA unit for harbor and emergency use. A single 280kW electrically-driven bow thruster is provided. Despite the fact that much of the ship’s sea time is expected to be within ECAs, the engine is set up to burn IFO 380 heavy fuel oil as well as MGO. At 100% engine output and at ballast draught (3.20m) trial speeds of 12.3 knots were recorded.

Hoogvleit has air-conditioned accommodation for a total of eight officers and crew.

When most of Europe’s shipyards seem to be retracting, Damen appears to be doing well. It currently operates more than 45 shipyards, repair yards and related companies, employing over 6,000 people in 34 countries. The group’s normal philosophy, from which it has departed to some extent with this particular series, is to build to standardised, modular designs. In fact at the smaller end of the market, the company is often able to deliver from its own stock of ready-made vessels. This way, Damen says it offers short delivery times and consistent quality, offering low total cost of ownership, high resale value, proven technology and reliable performance. The group has recently considerably expanded its shiprepair and conversion business and now controls 12 repair & conversion yards.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS HOOGVLEIT

Length oa 88.6m
Length bp 84.99m
Beam moulded 12.66m
Depth 7.0m
Ballast draught 3.20m
Summer draught 5.425m
Deadweight 3,800dwt
Gross tonnage 2,597gt
Hold capacity 5,250m³
Fuel capacity – HFO 200m³
Fuel capacity – MGO 28m³
Lube oil 6.7 + 1.9m³
Container capacity 176TEU
Main engine MaK 8M20C, 1,250kW @ 1,000rpm
Propeller CPP 2.35m diameter
Accommodation 8 persons
Class Lloyd’s Register +100A1, +LMC, USM, SCM