The Dutch design and engineering company Conoship International is expanding its CIP series to include a fully electric version of the CIP3800 multi-purpose cargo vessel.
The design is fitted with a 40 MWh battery system and is expected to achieve a range of up to 650 nautical miles with a payload of 3,200 tonnes.
Conoship is targeting this concept primarily at short-sea services, green shipping corridors and operating areas with strict emissions regulations. According to Conoship, there are no direct CO₂, NOx, SOx or particulate emissions when operating in pure battery-electric mode.
The design is based on the existing CIP3800 platform, which has a deadweight tonnage of around 3,800 dwt. Conoship is therefore not relying on a newly developed hull form, but on a geometry which, according to the company, has already been tested in model trials, sea trials and in commercial operation. Low hydrodynamic drag is expected to reduce energy consumption accordingly.
“Shipowners looking to transition to zero-emission operation do not need to take unnecessary risks with untested hull designs,” explains Maarten Sickler, Sales Director at Conoship International.
40 MWh battery capacity
The newbuild design is 89.43 m long and 13.20 m wide. With a draught of 5.20 m, the deadweight tonnage is 3,200 t. The box-shaped cargo hold has a capacity of 4,737 m³ and is designed for general cargo, bulk cargo and project cargo.
The 40 MWh battery system is expected to provide a range of around 350 nautical miles at 10 knots. At a speed of 8 knots, Conoship quotes a range of up to around 650 nautical miles. This figure already takes into account reserves for rough seas and the energy consumption of the on-board systems.
The batteries are distributed across separate compartments in the fore and aft sections. This is intended to ensure that the weight distribution is such that no additional water ballast is required. According to the company, the weight of the batteries is also partly offset by the elimination of conventional fuel, lubricating oil and sludge tanks.
As an option, the CIP3800 can be fitted with a smaller generator set to act as a range extender or backup system. Conoship lists HVO and biodiesel, amongst others, as possible fuels. This variant is aimed in particular at operating areas where the necessary charging infrastructure is not yet widely available.
Platform for various powertrain concepts
The all-electric version complements the already modular CIP3800 series. Depending on the operational profile, the platform can be configured, amongst other things, as diesel-electric, prepared for methanol, with wind assistance or fully battery-electric. According to Conoship, more than 2,000 vessels have been built to the company’s own designs since its foundation in 1952.
