Belgian shipping company Fast Lines Belgium has signed a contract for the construction of two 3,850 dwt combination cargo ships with the Dutch Damen Shipyards Group. The cost and delivery date of the new vessels have not yet been announced.
The 3,850 dwt ships, which will fly the Belgian flag, will, alongside the new hull design and an efficient and economic main engine, be fitted with Daman’s remote monitoring system, delivering real-time information on fuel consumption and carbon emissions to the shore-side team as well as the ships’ crew.
The so-called CF 3850 has the lowest EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) in the shortsea cargo vessel market, Fast said.
“We are confident that the Damen CF 3850 vessels will fit like a glove in the Fast Lines Belgium’s business,” said managing director Catrien Scheers, adding: “Not only are they economical and efficient, our customers will also be able to see for themselves just how low their fuel consumption and therefore their emissions are. This will give us a valuable commercial advantage.”
Fast started in 1991 as a charterer and evolved into a total logistics provider. The company has a fleet of six privately run boxshaped coasters that ship most types of break-bulk cargo. All ships are named after Scheers’ family members.