Conoship International introduces a fully electric, zero-emission cargo ship for short-distance transport, enhancing sustainability in maritime logistics.
Dutch design and engineering firm Conoship International has developed a new general cargo ship design that is fully electric and zero-emission, intended for short-distance maritime transport.
The company, which specializes in ship concepts specifically for river and coastal transport in Scandinavia and the North Sea, introduced its new design, which is 89 meters long and equipped with an electric propulsion system featuring a 40 MWh battery capacity.
The new vessel stands out as the fully electric version of Conoship's previously developed diesel-electric general cargo ship platform with a capacity of 3,800 dwt. To date, the company has built six ships based on this platform. The vessels, with a cargo capacity of over 180,000 cubic feet, were designed to provide up to 35% fuel savings compared to traditional coastal vessels.
The latest ship in the series, Wilson ECO VI, was completed and delivered in June at Udupi Cochin Shipyard.
Conoship's new electric vessel is designed to offer a range of 350 nautical miles at a speed of 10 knots and up to 650 nautical miles at a speed of 8 knots, thanks to its 40 MWh battery propulsion system.
The ship is targeted for the transport of bulk cargo, general cargo, and project cargo, as well as for short-distance maritime routes with regular service schedules, green shipping corridors, and coastal areas with emission restrictions.
The company emphasizes that the electric solution could serve as a significant alternative for shipowners operating in Scandinavian fjords and zero-emission areas.
Conoship also allows for flexible use of the design due to potential changes in shore power supply and the different operational profiles of the vessels. In this context, it is noted that a compact and low-power generator set running on biofuel can be integrated into the ship.
This solution aims to maintain the zero-emission target in green shipping corridors that require fully electric operations while ensuring operational flexibility in areas where electrical infrastructure is lacking or where the route is longer.
Maarten Sickler, Sales Director of Conoship International, stated that the new design is based on a proven ship design rather than a completely new and experimental platform. He commented:
'Shipowners do not need to adopt untested, experimental ship designs to explore zero-emission options. By building on a platform with an extraordinary track record at sea, operators can retain the key advantages of the CIP series, such as optimized hold capacity, low fuel and power demand, and construction flexibility.'
With over 70 years of experience, Conoship International has contributed to the construction of more than 2,000 vessels with its efficiency and sustainability-focused designs.
The company aims to promote the electrification of short-distance maritime transport with its new electric general cargo ship and to enhance solutions for low and zero-emission shipping corridors in Scandinavia and the North Sea.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
