Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Gerdes Green for a second Combi Freighter (CF) 3850. Like the first vessel, which Damen is currently building, the latest order will feature a wide range of innovative solutions aimed at optimising efficiency and advancing the vessel’s sustainable performance.
The Damen CF 3850 is an updated version of a vessel that has earned an excellent reputation in the international cargo vessel sector over many years. The next generation vessel has been redeveloped using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and modern tooling to ensure utmost efficiency. Together with Gerdes Green, Damen has developed a battery hybrid version of the CF 3850 vessel. The vessel is able to sail for short durations on fully electric power, reducing emissions when, for example operating in populated areas or approaching port.
Additional green features of the vessel include its ability to hook up to electrical shore power, the capability to sail on reduced emission B100 bio-diesel fuel, and wind assisted ship propulsion. This comes in the form of Econowind foldable ventofoils, which will reduce the vessel’s dependence on the engine to lower fuel consumption and associated emissions.
Gerdes Green has received a subsidy from the German Government for investment in the sustainable innovations featured on the vessels. The subsidy is part of the Namkü directive, a demonstration of the German Government’s recognition of the importance of maritime sustainability.
Reederei Gerdes and Damen have been working together since the early 2000s. In that time, the shipbuilder has delivered a total of eight vessels to the company.