On 2 May, Fast Lines Belgium held a naming ceremony for two Damen Combi Freighters (CF) 3850 in the Port of Antwerp. The vessels – the first newbuilds to enter the company’s fleet – will be joined by a third CF 3850 later this year.
Attending the ceremony were personnel from Fast Lines in Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Poland, together with representatives of Damen and Fast’s clients and suppliers.
More than 200 guests gathered at the Royal Yacht Club Antwerp on the left bank of the River Scheldt to mark the occasion. Here, they watched a livestream of the naming taking place on the opposite bank at Fast Lines Belgium’s premises.
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Beer christening
Instead of the usual bottle of champagne, the vessels received their names with locally-brewed Seef beer – a modern take on an Antwerp beer tradition dating back to the sixteenth century. The vessels were named Fast Olivia and Fast Anna Sofia after Fast family members. Both of the vessels received their names from the respective family members, Olivia Scheers and Anna Sofia Scheers. For Olivia, becoming a ship’s godmother was a double celebration that coincided with her fifteenth birthday.
Fast’s third CF 3850 was also named Fast Gilles recently. On this occasion, Gilles Scheers served as the vessel’s godfather. Following the naming of the first two vessels, guests in Antwerp were able to view a video of the naming during the launch of the vessel at Damen Yichang Shipyard in China.
Making use of client insights
Chair of Fast Lines Belgium Catrien Scheers: ‘Throughout the project there has been a very strong and pleasant cooperation between our two companies. Damen have been very open to what we have to say, and we have learned a lot from one another. They have taken our ideas into consideration, not only on our own vessels, but have also incorporated them into the design for the next generation of CF 3850 vessels.’
‘We always like to take client insights into consideration – both during construction and after delivery during the operational phase,’ adds Damen Commercial Director Cargo Vessels Remko Bouma. ‘Sometimes it can be a very simple and seemingly minor adjustment, but it can have a big impact on crew comfort and vessel performance.’
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Performing well
Prior to their naming ceremony, both Fast Olivia and Fast Anna Sofia had been in operation for six months. Fast Lines Belgium Managing Director Yvan Vlaminckx says that the vessels have been performing well.
Vlaminckx: ‘Upon delivery, the crew had to sail the new vessels from China to Europe. Of course, this was an exciting moment for them, but also nerve-wracking. Nevertheless, within a few days we already started to receive positive feedback that the crew were finding the vessels very smart and efficient. As Damen had predicted the fuel consumption is considerably more efficient than existing vessels with the same capacity.’
More than fifty vessels in five years
Damen’s CF 3850 is a renowned cargo vessel, of which the company has sold more than fifty units in just five years. The vessel is designed for flexible cargo versatility and optimal efficiency. In addition to its fuel-efficient profile, the design is prepared for a range of additional options to further reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
Picture (top): CF 3850 Fast Olivia and Fast Anna Sofia (photo by Damen).
Also read: Funding for green upgrade of Damen Combi Freighters
