Amasus Shipping's newest Ro-Ro begins operational sailings

A new Ro-Ro vessel ordered by Netherlands-based Amasus Shipping has departed on her first operational sailing, transporting 108-metre long offshore wind turbine blades from Denmark to the United States.

Rotra Futura will be used primarily for the transport of large offshore wind turbine components on behalf of Swiss logistics company Deugro.

The ship has a length of 167.6 metres and a beam of 26 metres. The wheelhouse and the accommodation are placed near the bow, thus maximising cargo capacity while ensuring optimal loading without obstructing visibility.

Turbine components are loaded and offloaded via a ramp. Three cranes and a special ramp system will meanwhile enable turbine blades to be stowed in three tiers, thus providing greater flexibility in loading methods and cargo configurations.

The Ro-Ro also features a hybrid propulsion system with IMO Tier III-compliant engines and waste heat recovery capability.

Development of Rotra Futura and sister vessel Rotra Horizon was done in collaboration with Siemens Gamesa, Deugro, and Dutch naval architecture firm DEKC Maritime. Construction took place at Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard in China.