X-Press Feeders continues to expand its fleet of methanol-capable vessels. The latest addition is the “Eco Zephyr”, designed by the German firm Technolog.
The feeder, which has a capacity of 1,170 TEU, is operated by Eastaway Ship Management, which, like X-Press Feeders, is part of the Sea Consortium Group (Singapore).
The ship was built at the Ningbo Xinle shipyard in China. It is the sixth of eight “sisters” ordered in equal numbers from Dayang and Ningbo Xinle. However, according to the news service Alphaliner, the final outfitting and acceptance will take place at Yangzijiang Shipbuilding.
Built for X-Press services in Europe
The “Technolog Stream 1170” vessels were built specifically for European shortsea shipping and have typical “Eurofeeder” features. These include an open-top cargo hold, a bridge at the front and a covered mooring deck on the forecastle.
The eco-feeder vessels are 148.00 metres long and 27.20 metres (9 rows) wide. They are powered by a MAN B&W 5S50ME-C9 main engine with an output of 8,900 kW. Some units in the series are reportedly ice class Ic rated for year-round use in Northern Europe and particularly in the Baltic Sea.
From the shipyard on the Yangtze River, the “Eco Zephyr” will first sail to Shanghai and Dachan Bay to load cargo for its positioning voyage to Europe. At the end of October, the ship will then be integrated into XPress Feeders’ “Benelux Baltic Express” (BBX l).
In addition to the Technolog designs, the shipping company has ordered six very similar ships from Guangzhou Wenchong, designed by the Chinese design office Sdari. These are scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026.
