Groningen based shipping company Longship have joined forces with the compatriot naval architect, Ankerbeer to develop an innovative ship design. The new design aims to reduce emissions and is compliant with the EU Stage V standards applicable to non-road mobile machinery (NRMM).

The hull design and diesel-electric propulsion system delivers an ultra-low fuel consumption by using two low revolution engines to ensure a most efficient combustion. The fuel-efficient main propulsion generates a reduction in consumption of about 45 per cent compared to the currently dominant ship types of similar size. Being an optimised design for the transport of biomass solid fuels, not only the specific consumption of the engines, but also the actual consumption per ton of cargo lowers emissions significantly.

“It is our corporate goal to substantially cut emissions and carbon intensity as industrial carrier when providing bespoke logistical solutions to our clients,” states Longship CEO Øyvind Sivertsen. “With these units we will meet requirements well before they become mandatory to the shipping industry”.

The hybrid propulsion system powering two azimuth thrusters. with low rpm and large diameter fixed propellers, can be retrofitted to run on alternative fuels that will replace fossil fuels in the future following the energy transition. At delivery, the ships will hold the class notation Prepared for Methanol C as hybrid alternative.

The high cubic design featuring one fully box-shaped hold with 81.9 m clear hatch opening in length is well suited for breakbulk and project cargoes, and able to sail in open-top condition. The ships will be built at Atlas Shipyard in Turkey with the first unit to be delivered in spring 2024.