The “Rotra Futura”, the first of two new RoRo special ships, has officially commenced operations. On its maiden voyage, the vessel — built at Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard in China — transported several 108-meter-long wind turbine blades from Aalborg, Denmark, to the USA.
The “Rotra Futura” was developed through close cooperation between Concordia Damen, Amasus, Deugro Danmark, Siemens Gamesa and DEKC Maritime. Delivery took place in April of this year.
“We are very pleased to officially welcome the ‘Rotra Futura’ to our fleet of RoRo vessels specifically designed to serve the offshore wind industry. This state-of-the-art vessel marks an important milestone in our pursuit of innovation and operational excellence,” emphasized Dennis Bjørslev Jensen, Branch Manager of Deugro Denmark.
The project vessel was engineered specifically for transporting larger and heavier offshore components. For its first loading operation in the Danish port of Aalborg, Deugro’s wind energy specialists were on site to ensure the turbine blades were secured safely on board.
“Rotra Futura”: Flexible loading with cranes, ramp system and multiple deck levels
The design of the “Rotra Futura” builds on the proven concept of its predecessor vessels “Rotra Mare” and “Rotra Vente” developed by Concordia Damen. Three Liebherr cranes and a dedicated ramp system enable turbine blades to be stowed across three deck levels – a decisive advantage for flexible and efficient loading.
Measuring 167.6 meters in length and 26 meters in width, the vessel offers maximum cargo capacity. The bridge and accommodation units are positioned at the bow to optimize visibility during loading operations.
The “Rotra Futura” is powered by a Wärtsilä engine that consumes approximately 15 percent less fuel and significantly reduces CO₂ emissions compared to similar ships. A hybrid drive system combined with an efficient waste heat recovery system further enhances energy efficiency.
“After years of preparation and hard work, it is a great pleasure to finally see the ship in operation. The fact that the first loading operation went so smoothly and precisely – exactly as planned – is a proud moment for our entire team. The ‘Rotra Futura’ has fully met our expectations and impressively demonstrated its key role for the offshore wind industry,” Jensen continues.
