The Vertom Patty was successfully launched at Thecla Bodewes Shipyards on Friday 23 September. It is the first 7000-DWT diesel-electric multi-purpose dry cargo vessel of a series of six of the LABRAX design the Dutch yard is building for Vertom.

To emphasize the importance of this event, this first vessel in the series, was festively christened by Mrs. Patty Pols, the wife of the late Mr. Pols, founder of Vertom. The vessel will be commissioned in Kampen in the coming weeks and delivery is scheduled for the end of 2022.

‘The launch of the first out of six 7000-DWT vessels is another milestone in the rich history of Vertom and we are grateful to have this done by Mrs. Patty Pols, the wife of the founder of Vertom,’ comments Arjan de Jong, CEO of Vertom. ‘I am delighted to see the result and would like to express my appreciation to Thecla Bodewes and her team for their dedication and effort in realising such an innovative vessel. With this vessel we make a huge step towards our target to reduce carbon intensity by forty per cent by 2030.’

By Peter Lodder / Thecla Bodewes.

Also read: Thecla Bodewes Shipyards to build four 7000-DWT vessels for Vertom

Future-proof modular electric propulsion

The LABRAX 7000-DWT cargo vessels are especially developed to Vertom’s requirements for providing tailor-made shipping solutions. Groot Ship Design provided the concept, naval architecture, hull construction design and production package.

The completely box-shaped cargo holds ensure optimal loading flexibility and maximum cargo intake. During detail engineering, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) optimisation of the hull design was performed for a fuel-efficient speed-power performance powered by a future-proof modular electric propulsion system. This system distributes the vessel’s energy load more efficiently, by using several smaller engines that adjust to the current sailing profile for the most efficient combustion.

This hybrid concept is designed to be ready for future developments, because of the possibility to make the vessel’s propulsion methanol-electric or hydrogen-electric.

Also read: Thecla Bodewes Shipyards to build two more 7000-TDW vessels for Vertom

Keel laying BN359 & BN360

On the same day as the launch of the Vertom Patty, the official keel laying ceremony of the second and third vessel in the series, BN359 and BN360, also took place in Kampen. The two vessels will respectively be named MV Vertom Cyta and MV Vertom Tomma.

‘We are proud to have been awarded the trust by Vertom for the order of six vessels of the LABRAX 7000 series,’ says CEO Thecla Bodewes. ‘This extensive order shows that Thecla Bodewes Shipyards is firmly established as a reputable partner for the design, development and construction of such innovative vessels and we are much looking forward to continuing our highly valued partnership with Vertom.’

The vessels, with a length of 118.60 metres and breadth of 14.30 metres, are being developed and constructed at Thecla Bodewes Shipyards facility in Kampen the Netherlands, in collaboration with experienced Dutch suppliers and subcontractors. Further deliveries are scheduled from 2022 to mid-2025.

Pictures by Peter Lodder / Thecla Bodewes Shipyards.

Also read: Thecla Bodewes Shipyards presents new future fuel-ready ship design at SMM