Boomsma Shipping and Leonard & Blumberg have placed an order for up to eight 8,500 dwt low-emission dry cargo vessels, to be built by the Chowgule yard group in India.
The vessels are to be built to a design by Conoship International for the innovative design, and are expected to achieve a reduction of 50% to 90% in CO2 emissions.
Hamburg-based Leonhardt & Blumberg, known for its position in the container vessel and product tanker markets, is partnering Boomsma in the project, in line with its decision to diversify into the short sea dry cargo vessel market. JR Shipbrokers and Consultants (part of JR Shipping Group), with whom both Boomsma and Leonhardt & Blumberg work closely together, acted as matchmaker and newbuilding broker.
The order, for four vessels with an option for a further four, will be built at Chowgule’s new shipyard in Mangalore once modernisation works have been completed in spring 2024.
Features of the new design include:
- Extremely efficient in terms of cargo carrying capacity per energy unit.
- 8.500 dwt and 13.900m3 capacity in the single hold with open top and complete tween deck.
- Optimised diesel electric propulsion ready for future fuels.
- 50% – 60% lower propulsion energy required compared to existing tonnage.
- Ready for innovations such as: wind assisted propulsion, carbon capture and emission free operation on batteries to lower emissions even further.
- 50% – 90% lower CO₂ emissions.
From autumn 2025 onwards the vessels will be delivered either to Boomsma Shipping or Leonhardt & Blumberg. Once in service, the vessels will all be commercially operated in a pool by NewTide Chartering of Rotterdam, part of the Boomsma group.
Johan Boomsma, Managing Partner, Boomsma Shipping said: “Climate change can no longer be ignored and ‘change of course’ is absolutely necessary. Regulations to achieve a greener shipping industry are coming into force. For the short term, our focus is on fuel consumption reduction. As a consequence, emissions are lowered.”
Torben Koelln, MD Leonhardt & Blumberg said: “The short sea shipping space is where most of the innovation takes place in order to make vessels more energy efficient and to achieve much less emissions of – for instance – CO₂. While entering this market, our group was to be an early adopter of these new technologies and therefore wanted to invest in a cutting- edge vessel type. Furthermore, it was important to us that the vessels would be built at a comfort offering, experienced shipyard and we are therefore very happy with the partnership with Chowgule Shipbuilding.”
