Built in Estonia and destined for the Elbe, the modernization program for the ‘Hamburg Flotte’—a company of the Hamburg Port Authority—continues with two newbuilds. Unlike their predecessors, a battery-electric hybrid drive was deliberately omitted.
Two milestones were reached for the municipal company at the Baltic Workboats shipyard. The new pilot transfer vessel “Hamburg Pilot 3” was launched and is about to be delivered. At the same time, construction of the “Hamburg Pilot 4” began. Both ships will replace the previous pilot vessels “Lotse 3” and “Lotse 4” and are intended to “strengthen the environmentally friendly modernization of the Hamburg fleet, according to a press release.
The two ships are so-called type ships, which are strongly oriented towards proven pilot ships. However, there is one adjustment to the previously delivered sisters, which concerns the environmentally friendly propulsion system: Unlike the last five newbuilds in the fleet, these deliberately do not have a battery-electric hybrid drive, as this is less suited to the very specific voyage profiles in the pilot transfer service. Instead, both boats are intended to be converted to climate-neutral e-fuels “as soon as possible”.
The keel laying marks the official start of construction. Traditionally, a lucky charm in the form of a 2-euro coin with the motif of the church Hamburg Michel was attached to the keel. This ceremony was performed by the future crew members Christian Schwieger and Dirk Lange. The delivery of the “Hamburg Pilot 4” is planned for this year.
Technical data
- Hamburg Pilot 4, type LVS16
- Length overall: 17.95 m
- Width overall: 5.87 m
- Maximum draught: 1.50 m
- Speed: 20 knots
- Crew: 2 persons
Special features
- Exhaust gas aftertreatment (catalytic converters and particle filter)
- Wave-piercing bow for a particularly calm ride in rough seas
- Automatic trim system for more comfort and reduced fuel consumption
