New DFDS RO/ROs to set new eco design standards

OCTOBER 12, 2016 — Ship designer Knud E. Hansen says that the two 235 m RO/RO cargo ships ordered by Denmark’s DFDS this month (see story) will raise the bar for what is considered an environmentally friendly ship design.

“The new ships will cut energy consumption and emissions by more than 25% per transported trailer compared to current standards,” says DFDS CEO Niels Smedegaard.

Knud E. Hansen has worked closely with DFDS and the shipbuilder, China’s CSC Jinling Shipyard, over the past four months in order to refine and optimize the concept. It says that meeting new IMO EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) requirements is a big challenge for RO/RO vessels and there has been a strong focus on structural solutions and optimized hydrodynamic capabilities.

During the contract design stage, a preliminary model test was been performed in order to validate the vessel’s speed/power performance.

Knud E. Hansen is now working to further develop the design into a basic design.