VESSEL REVIEW | Iana – First in new series of eco-friendly shortsea carriers for Transtal Shipping
Groningen, Netherlands-based shortsea transport company Transtal Shipping has taken delivery of the first unit in a new series of multi-purpose cargo carriers designed and built locally by Thecla Bodewes Shipyards.
Classed by Bureau Veritas, the 5,050DWT Iana is fitted with a diesel-electric propulsion system consisting of three Volvo Penta D16 532kW generators and two 600ekW electric motors. This configuration will ensure that the ship complies with IMO Tier II NOx emissions standards and EEDI Phase III requirements in addition to aligning with Transtal Shipping’s ongoing environment-friendly fleet renewal program.
Iana has a length of 87.3 metres (286 feet), a beam of 13.7 metres (44.9 feet), a summer draught of 6.3 metres (21 feet), a gross tonnage of 2,999, and a net tonnage of 1,627.
The vessel also boasts a highly efficient hull shape and a spacious cargo hold with a total volume of 5,900 cubic metres (210,000 cubic feet). This will enable the transport of a wide range of cargo on both domestic and global routes.
The hold also features electrical ventilation with about six air changes per hour.
Improvements in performance and capacity over earlier vessels from the same builder
The hull shape has been specially developed for use with diesel-electric propulsion and incorporates what Thecla Bodewes Shipyards says is all the knowledge and experience gained from previously built vessels including a larger series of 7,280DWT ships.
The vessel itself meets all the requirements of a dry cargo vessel with a highly efficient cargo hold, low fuel consumption, low emissions, and low OPEX.
Ready to accommodate future low-emission fuels
Although fitted initially with a diesel-electric propulsion setup to ensure low emissions, the vessel may be configured in the future to also operate on low-emission alternative fuels such as methanol and hydrogen. Space has been reserved on board for these alternative energy sources without having to replace the existing diesel-electric propulsion system.
For its initial sailings, the Portuguese-flagged Iana will operate on European shortsea routes under a time charter with Dutch dry cargo transport company Royal Wagenborg.
