Damen delivers a very green Combi Freighter to Bernd Sibum

Sibum Combi Freighters will be fitted with Econowind Ventifoils on arrival in Europe. [Image: Damen]

Haren, Ems, Germany-headquartered Reederei Bernd Sibum has taken delivery of the second of four Damen Combi Freighters under construction at the Damen Yichang Shipyard in China, following successful sea trials in Shanghai. The first vessel, delivered at the beginning of February, is currently on its maiden voyage, bound for Norway with a project cargo.

The new generation CF 3850 vessels are designed for high efficiency. In their standard form they are able to sail on 100% biofuel and are prepared for hybrid propulsion. However, the four ordered by Reederei Bernd Sibum are being fitted with addition green features to its vessels with the help of funding from the German Federal Government’s NaMKü (Nachhaltige Modernisierung von Küstenschiffen) program. which is aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of short sea shipping. The green modifications of these vessels are jointly funded by the NaMKü program and the vessel owner, with Mare Trust AG, Oldenburg, Germany, taking the lead on the equity side.

As a result of this, the four vessels will feature hybrid propulsion with a PTO/PTI system, enabling periodical operation with zero emissions, and shore power connection capabilities when in port.

Additionally, they will be fitted with Econowind Ventifoils, which are expected to reduce fuel consumption by a further 12.5%. The first vessel is scheduled to undergo this process at Damen Shiprepair Harlingen in the Netherlands.

Cost-efficient commissioning

For the project, Damen undertook Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing of the onboard systems and automation. With this, Damen connects the actual hardware to be used in the vessels to a simulated, virtual environment. This enables safe, repetitive testing, adjustment and validation prior to construction, resulting in efficient commissioning and ensuring the vessel meets expectations from the outset.

The CF 3850 vessels are also being installed with Damen Triton. The IoT system collects and analyses data from thousands of sensors located around the vessels. This allows the operator to optimize sailing in real time, and provides feedback that Damen uses to inform the ongoing evolution of its designs over successive generations.

“With these vessels, it was our intention to actively pursue improvement,” said Bern Sibum, managing director of Reederei Bernd Sibum. “This meant doing something to safeguard the environment, but also to create a vessel that was advantageous to charterers and comfortable for crew. When we presented our ideas to Damen, they were very professional. They listened closely to what we had to say and very quickly came back with a proposal to meet our goals.”

“I was also very impressed on visiting Damen’s location in China,” Sibum continued. “The facility is of a very high standard and the workforce is very positive and committed. The collaboration between the colleagues in Yichang, the Netherlands, and our team has worked very well, and has been an important factor in the high quality and finish of the vessels.”

“From the very start, our cooperation with Reederei Bernd Sibum has been very good,” said Remko Bouma, commercial director of Damen Cargo Vessels. “I’m particularly grateful to the company for our positive discussions, including on how we could do some things differently. To get the operator’s perspective on these matters is invaluable for us as shipbuilders, and will contribute enormously to the continued development of our designs.”