Thecla Bodewes Shipyards has officially delivered and handed over MV Vertom Patty to the Vertom Group. The Vertom Patty is the first in a series of six 7000-DWT diesel-electric multipurpose dry cargo vessels to be built by the Dutch yard.

The newbuilding vessels of the LABRAX series are ordered by the Vertom Group, one of the leading short sea shipping operators within Europe. The official delivery of the vessel took place at the Thecla Bodewes Shipyards facility in Harlingen.

A series of sea trials conducted in the North Sea proved that the vessel is capable of exceeding its contract specifications. The sophisticated and modular designed diesel-electric propulsion system is a further example of the shipyard’s focus on delivering future-proof sustainable vessels by using innovative solutions.

‘MV Vertom Patty is a great addition to our fleet,’ says Arjan de Jong, CEO of Vertom Group. ‘Her size and volume in combination with her extremely low fuel consumption numbers perfectly matches our company targets to reduce carbon intensity by forty per cent by 2030. After the successful sea trials, we are glad to see she is ready for her maiden voyage.’

Also read: First of LABRAX series for Vertom leaves Thecla Bodewes Shipyards for sea trials

Hybrid vessel design

Along with its 118.83-metre length over all, a beam of 14.30 metres and a 6.23-metre draught, these 7000-DWT vessels are especially developed to Vertom Group’s requirements for providing tailor-made shipping solutions for their clients. The completely box-shaped cargo holds ensure optimal loading flexibility and maximum cargo intake.

The detailed engineering was performed by Thecla Bodewes Shipyards in close collaboration with Groot Ship Design. The 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, by means of the ability to make the vessel’s propulsion methanol-electric or hydrogen-electric.

‘This is a big step, and a proud day, for us,’ comments Thecla Bodewes, CEO of Thecla Bodewes Shipyards. ‘The combination of partners that came together to construct these high specification vessels, designed to trade safely and efficiently in the challenging short-sea shipping market conditions, is truly remarkable. Our ships are ready for the energy transition and demonstrate again that Dutch technology is leading the world.’

Also read: VIDEO: Thecla Bodewes Shipyards launches first of 7000-DWT LABRAX series for Vertom

Next deliveries

Keel laying ceremonies of both hull number 359 and hull number 360 took place in September this year. All six vessels are being developed and constructed at the Thecla Bodewes Shipyards facility in Kampen, the Netherlands, in collaboration with experienced Dutch suppliers and subcontractors. Further deliveries are scheduled from 2023 to 2025.

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