Vertom, Europe Caribbean Line and Schram Shipping have celebrated the christening of MV Vertom Joy, a ship that has been over ten years in the making. The vessel was built as a DP2 pipe supply vessel, but after multiple bankruptcies finally completed at Thecla Bodewes Shipyards as a multi-purpose vessel.
The Vertom Joy will be added to the fleet of the cooperation between Vertom, Europe Caribbean Line and Schram Shipping. The christening ceremony, conducted by Joyce Schram, took place on 8 December in Vlissingen, the Netherlands.
Thecla Bodewes Shipyards delivered MV Vertom Joy in April 2023. The ship, originally designed as a DP2 pipe supply vessel, underwent a transformation by Thecla Bodewes Shipyards, converting it into a versatile MPV (multi-purpose vessel) and general cargo ship. After successful sea trials on the North Sea and receiving its class certificates, the vessel departed for China for the installation of two 80-tonne cranes from McGregor. The ship received its final colours as well, featuring two eye-catching pink cranes.
Kerst Medendorp, project manager at Thecla Bodewes Shipyards for this special project: ‘We are pleased with the end result. The collaboration for this special project started over a year ago. The pleasant and professional collaboration between all parties, including our suppliers and subcontractors, has resulted in an ultra-modern ship. Together we looked at the most future-proof solution for propulsion and onboard systems. If you consider that a large part of the existing installation has been replaced and that the new systems were installed in a relatively short build period, it is quite an achievement!’
Also read: Why it took ten years for the Vertom Joy to get ready for sea trials
Three bankruptcies
The keel laying of this vessel took place as early as October 2013 at Peter Shipyards in Kampen, the Netherlands. When this yard went bankrupt in 2014, Barkmeijer Stroobos was supposed to be the yard to finish the vessel for Croatian company Brodotrogir, but more bankruptcies followed. First Barkmeijer Stroobos went bankrupt itself, in part because the Croatian company refused to pay for the vessel.
Also read: Bodewes Group acquires Peters Shipyards
The ship then passed to Centraalstaal and in April 2016, the vessel was launched as Joint Runner I for CFL Shipmanagement, but it was never delivered. Centraalstaal went bankrupt in 2021 as well, which saw the vessel returned to Kampen and put up for auction. According to different media, it was sold for EUR 1.2 million.
Also read: Barkmeijer launches Joint Runner
Vertom Joy
The MV Vertom Joy is 128.26 metres long, 17.80 metres wide, has a draught of 8.03 metres for a deadweight of over 11,000 tonnes and additionally an open-top deadweight of 8100 tonnes at a draught of 6.50 metres. Its cargo capacity is 512,000 cuft.
The ship is equipped with a state-of-the-art diesel-electric propulsion system and power management system from D&A Electric, including an innovative battery bank for peak shaving and reverse power absorption, with Wärtsila an Volvo powered generator sets and two efficient Schottel propulsion Ecopellers.
Following its christening, the MV Vertom Joy is set to embark on its voyage to Antwerp, where it will be deployed on the trading line operated by ECL connecting Europe and the north coast of South America.
Also read: Thecla Bodewes Shipyards launches Vertom Anne Marit
