DISTINCTIVE SHORT-SEA FLOTILLA TAKES SHAPE

The 4,200dwt Hanse Eco design is configured for project loads, bulk commodities and breakbulk cargoes, and has been engineered to the IMO Tier III emission standard.

The newbuild programme initiated by the German company Rhenus-Arkon-Shipinvest (RHAS) encompasses four newbuilds. RHAS, based in the short-sea shipowning and management enclave Haren-on-Ems, entrusted construction to DaYang Offshore Equipment Co, of Tai Xing City in Jiangsu province, stipulating completions from mid 2021 onwards.

RHAS implemented the project in 2017 with Groot Ship Design of the Netherlands, and the development and optimisation process involved inputs from two Dutch companies, cargo access equipment firm Coops & Nieborg and electric drive specialist Eekels, and the Belgian medium-speed engine manufacturer ABC Engines. Groot supplied all design information plus a basic engineering package to the Chinese shipbuilding contractor.

Compared to conventional designs of vessel engaged in the short-sea traffic, the 90m Hanse Eco type combines greater versatility and scope in cargo range with a more circumspect environmental standard.

The single hold provides an underdeck volume of at least 5,500m3 and is exceptionally long in relation to overall hull length, providing for outsized consignments of equipment, machinery, plant, fabricated steel and other freight, as well as breakbulk and bulk commodities. For project cargo intake, the vessel is designed to sail in ‘open top’ configuration, whereby the hatch covers remain open.

The forward location of the bridge and the offset position of the funnel casing on the aft port quarter maximises the use of the hull envelope and provides a clear view of deck loading operations.

The order for each ship’s electrical system was placed with Eekels, and features a DC main switchboard powered by a permanent-magnet shaft generator driven by the main engine and/or energised by the two auxiliary generators. The gensets are connected to the DC distributor by means of an active front end (AFE) inverter and two rectifiers.

An AC switchboard is provided for onboard electrical consumers, fed through two 90kW grid converters by the DC distributor, into which the entire system is integrated, along with the 300kW bow thruster drive. Eekels used its proprietary MAS platform for the automation system. Powering arrangements include provision for future use of batteries.

RHAS was founded in 2017 as a joint venture of Arkon Shipping and logistics group Rhenus, after the latter obtained a 40% holding in the former. The objective is strategic fleet investments wherein emphasis is placed on recourse to advances in digitalisation and marine technology so as to build ecological and economic standards in the intra-European trades. By so doing, the ultimate aim is to raise returns in a market traditionally characterised by slim margins.

Arkon Shipping has entered into a commercial agreement with Bergen-domiciled Wilson ASA, operator of one of Europe’s largest fleets of coasting and short-sea cargo vessels. The pact calls for about 20 Arkon singledeckers to be switched to Wilson on long-term lease, including the Hanse Eco series.

The Norwegian firm will take on Arkon cargo contracts and other client commitments. Arkon will in turn become an integrated part of Wilson’s chartering system, and will handle export fixtures for the entire Wilson fleet in the Mediterranean arena.