The Dutch Answer on Expensive Fuel and Future Exhaust Emission Regulations

DSM Shipbrokers of Meppel in the Netherlands offers a new extremely economic vessel, specifically developed for very flexible coastal sea/river trading and built by the Dutch Shipyard De Kaap in the Netherlands. De Kaap is known for previous built coasters and tankers and has a very good reputation as builder of smaller quality coasters.

The Green Cape Trader launched in June is the first of a serial production of new “green concept” coasters with very economical fuel consumption.

The Green Cape Trader is a 2300 DWT MPP coaster with a low draft with double propulsion, powered by 2 diesel/electric units, placed in line in the vessel. 2 Reintjes gearboxes drive the new developed sophisticated propellers pushing the vessel to a speed of 10 knots.(Vessel fully loaded) The double propulsion will give the vessel also a very good maneuverability, which is an additional advantage in smaller ports. The vessel has excellent stowage flexibility for general cargoes as steel, coils, timber, coal, grain and dangerous goods

Due to the fact that the propulsion is now powered by relatively smaller diesel/electric units (750 kW) , the vessels consumes substantially less Gasoil than similar vessels with normal main engines. Similar vessels with authentic engines are consuming between 4400 and 5400 litres Gasoil per 24 hours. The new Green Cape Trader will need less than ± 3300 litres per 24 hrs.

With today’s bunker prices this can make a saving on Gasoil only of about 100.000 Euro’s per year, based on the kind of trade the vessel operates in, but this figure is an average on a vessel operating in the European coastal trade. Figures are not only an estimation, but meantime tested and a vessel equipped with same system is showing the expected results. Differences in lower consumption upto 30 % and sometimes even more have been managed already. Lower consumption of gasoil reduces the vessels exhaust emissions.

Engine maintenance on board can be strongly reduced and engine rooms need less equipment. Lubes consumption will be also be reduced and engine rooms can be kept clean and smaller.

The concept will now be realized in the first 2300 dwt general cargo vessel, ordered by Dutch operators.

The short outline description of the vessel is:

Multi Purpose General Cargo Vessel
2300 DWT on ± 3,70 m draught
Classed Bureau Veritas, unlimited voyages, 1* Hull * Mach, general cargo ship, restr. Navigation A2 * AUT-UMS, loading/unloading aground – strength bottom
Grain certificate, IMO goods, Rhine certificate
Loa 88,00 m, length b.p.p. 85,00 m
Breath moulded 11,40 m
Depth 5,80 m
1 hold box of 60,60 m x 9,00 m x 6,00 m free height , capacity 115.534 cub. Feet
Hold ventilation 6 ac/hr
Tanktop 15 Mtns/sqm
1 hatch, pontoon covers with gantry crane
Propulsion by 2 electric motors 375 kW each
3 generator sets Volvo Penta 400 kW with Leroy Somer generators
1 x emergency/harbour gen set Sisu/Stamford of 65 kW
2 Reintjes gearboxes AF 364
2 propellers 1,600 mm diam
2 rudders
electric driven 350 kW Veth Bowtruster 4-K-1200
Steering Gear Promac/Stuwa type 2C-2l-ZK-90
Accommodation 7 person in private cabins with sanitary
2 ballastpumps 150 cbm/hr
Vessel fully airconditioned/heated
Ballast tanks coated
Bunkertanks 73 CBM
Ballastwatertanks 1341 CBM
Potable water 25 CBM

The launched vessel will be delivered next winter to her owners as low draft sea-river liner, able to trade all European inland ports on the Albert-Canal, Rhone, Rhine etc. Same vessel can also be delivered with a higher wheelhouse as general coaster with a higher air-draft. The yard has planned a serial construction, which means the vessel can be delivered against a very reasonable price within a short delivery time, eventually equipped with an excavator or higher wheelhouse and when needed with a different length over all ! The yard is very flexible regarding adjustments.

More detailed information and figures are available at:

DSM Shipbrokers

Meppel Netherlands
www.shiptrade.nl