The shipping company Gerdes, based in Haren an der Ems, has ordered another new short-sea vessel from the Dutch Damen Shipyards Group via a joint venture.
Damen Shipyards Group and Gerdes Green have signed a contract for a second combination freighter (CF) 3850, as the Dutch company has now announced.
Gerdes Green is a joint venture between the Gerdes shipping company and the Hamburg-based shipbroker over-C. “Like the first vessel Damen is currently building, the latest order will include a wide range of innovative solutions to optimise efficiency and promote sustainable performance of the vessel,” the statement reads.
Reederei Gerdes – said: “Sustainability is a key industry requirement today and therefore of paramount importance to the maritime sector. Furthermore, in the face of climate change, it is clear that we cannot simply carry on as before; things have to change.”
Long cooperation with Damen
The Gerdes shipping company and Damen have been working together since the early 2000s. During this time, the shipbuilder has delivered a total of eight ships to the company.
Gerdes Green does not want to wait until the solutions of the future are available. The ships ordered from Damen are described as “part of the offer to act now”. With the newbuildings, Gerdes wants to gain experience with sustainable technologies in order to gradually move towards a carbon-neutral fleet.
The Damen CF 3850 is an updated version of a ship that has already been on the market for several years. It has reportedly been redesigned using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and modern tools to ensure maximum efficiency. Together with Gerdes Green, Damen has developed a battery hybrid version of the CF 3850. The ship is able to operate in all-electric mode for short periods of time, reducing emissions when sailing in populated areas or approaching a port, for example.
Federal funding for Gerdes
Other “green” features of the ship include the option of a shore power connection, the ability to run on low-emission B100 biodiesel and the wind-assisted ship propulsion system. This is used in the form of foldable Econowind valve blades. Gerdes Green has received a grant from the German government to invest in sustainable innovations on the ships. The grant is part of the Namkü guideline and shows that the German government recognises the importance of maritime sustainability.
“Damen’s experience in the coastal shipping sector convinced us,” said Nicole Gerdes. “This is reflected in the high quality of the Damen ships. The ships are excellent workhorses that are appreciated by our customers. In addition, the cooperation is good. We are both family-run companies and share a long-term perspective. It’s not just about making a profit, but finding solutions together and thinking about the next project.
