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02 January 2012

KNUD E. HANSEN and joint venture partner ABB have developed a highly fuel efficient 2000 TEU Container Feeder Vessel. The vessel’s main dimensions have been optimised for calling in Bangkok, but the design features will deliver great benefits to operators and the environment on any route.

The design delivers excellent fuel economy, reduced environmental impact, reduced need for water ballast, slow-steaming potential and flexible transit speeds, loading flexibility as well as increased container capacity, including higher than usual reefer capacity.

Propulsion efficiency, manoeuvrability and redundancy

Propulsion efficiency is significantly boosted by an electrically driven counter rotating ABB Azipod unit, which is fitted behind the directly driven main propeller. The power balance between the main propeller and the Azipod is approximately 65/35 %, and as the Azipod can be turned 360 degrees. The vessel will have state-of-the-art manoeuvrability, which reduces or eliminates the need for tug boat assistance in port.

Compared to a vessel with a conventional diesel-direct propulsion system, the main engine has been considerably down-sized, and with a correspondingly smaller propeller diameter in combination with a low shaft line, ballast water to submerge the propellers in light loaded conditions is generally not necessary. At 18 knots the main engine with its shaft generator will deliver the entire propulsion power, including the electrical power for the Azipod unit, the hotel load and the reefer containers. Additional auxiliary power is only necessary if higher speeds (up to 21 knots) are required or if an exceptionally large number of reefer containers are carried.

Three auxiliary engines with a total electrical power output of approximately 8000 kW are arranged in an auxiliary engine room, which is completely segregated from the main engine room. With the main engine stopped, the vessel is able to navigate with a speed of more than 13 knots on auxiliary power and the Azipod alone, which provides a very high degree of redundancy and more than sufficient “return to port” capability.

Comments from Maersk Broker – Exclusive broker:

Maersk Broker is proud to have been a part of this very exciting project from an early stage, and we are very happy to take on the role as exclusive broker for this exciting new containership design.

Compared to the many traditional designs on the market today, the development of this containership design has been characterized by real innovative “thinking outside the box”, which has produced some impressive results on both speed/consumption, stowage flexibility, and not least transit speed flexibility. We believe that this is what is needed in a future-proof design, and should be attractive to liner operators and tramp owners, who are focused on stowage/speed flexibility and fuel efficiency – and thus a greener profile.

We look forward to furnishing interested operators and owners with more details on this state-of-the-art design.

The vessel design will be marketed exclusively by Maersk Broker in both a geared version (as shown above) and a gearless version.

Related references

Bangkok-Max Container Feeder
  • Vessel name: Novel 2000 TEU Container Feeder Vessel
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Download Materials

Datasheet for the 2000 TEU Bangkok-Max Container Feeder Vessel

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