E.R. Schiffahrt Receives Modification Excellence Award

Classification society DNV GL recognised that E.R. Schiffahrt has retrofitted seven ultra large container vessels to meet the highest energy efficiency standards and improve its cargo capacity through the DNV GL Modification Excellence Award. Jörg Lampe, Senior Project Engineer Risk & Safety and Systems Engineering at DNV GL, presented the award to Jürgen Kudritzki, Technical Director at E.R. Schiffahrt, in Hamburg. The German shipping company is the first to receive this award.

“E.R. Schiffahrt has made a sustained and intensive commitment to increasing the efficiency of its operations. Our analysis shows these ships use 15 per cent less energy – resulting in annual savings of approximately 3.8 Million USD”, said Jörg Lampe. E.R. Schiffahrt performed modifications on seven 13,100 TEU vessels – the eighth ship will be finished shortly. The changes include new bulbous bows, energy efficient propellers, engine modifications and cargo boosting. In addition to implementing the Route Specific Container Stowage notation (RSCS), the ships’ draft was increased by 0.5m – resulting in an increased deadweight of 7,591t, which is equivalent to 542 TEU at 14t for each of the vessels.

DNV GL evaluated the vessels’ energy efficiency by using CFD calculation results, test reports and technical documentation to determine fuel and power savings for a given operational profile. This data was cross-checked with information gathered over a representative period before and after the retrofit.

"We are delighted about this award, since it confirms that we have followed the right path with our retrofit concept. It ensures higher efficiency, more business per vessel at greater flexibility and helps to significantly reduce slot costs”, said Jürgen Kudritzki.