Naples-based Grimaldi group has taken delivery of the Eco Valencia, the first of 12 hybrid ro-ro ships belonging to the new Grimaldi Green 5th Generation (GG5G) class and ordered from the Chinese Jinling shipyard located in Nanjing.

The Eco Valencia is the first unit of the new GG5G series of hybrid ro-ro vessels. In addition to classifying the ship, RINA (Italian Naval Registry) assigned her the additional “Green Plus” class notation, the top RINA certification in the field of environmental sustainability. The “Green Plus” recognises the design solutions, on-board systems and operational procedures put in place voluntarily, both during the construction phase and during the operation of the ship, aimed at improving environmental performance beyond the minimum levels required by the relevant international regulations.

The GG5G class design was conceived by the Grimaldi Group Technical and Energy Saving Department in partnership with the Danish naval design studio Knud E. Hansen and incorporates innovative elements that are partly patented and protected by copyright. These include, among others, an air lubrication system – which will let the ship also obtain the prestigious “AIR-LUB” notation certified by RINA; a Rolls-Royce Promas Lite propulsion system, a waste heat recovery system as well as silicone coating on the hull.

All the new GG5G-class vessels will use latest-generation electronically-controlled engines which are powered by fossil fuels during navigation and by electricity while at berth, guaranteeing “Zero Emissions in Port”. During stays at berth, they are capable of meeting the energy demands of on-board activities with just the electricity stored in lithium batteries that are recharged during navigation thanks to shaft generators and 600m2 of solar panels. Moreover, exhaust gas cleaning systems are installed on board the GG5G ships to reduce sulphur and particulate emissions.

The Eco Valencia has a length of 238m, a beam of 34m, a gross tonnage of 67,311 and a service speed of 20.8 knots. The vessel, flying the Italian flag, is the largest short sea ro-ro vessel in the world and can transport 7,800 linear meters of rolling freight, equivalent to around 500 trailers. The loading capacity of its garages is twice that of the largest ships currently operated by the Neapolitan group; nevertheless, the new vessel consumes the same amount of fuel at the same speed. This means twice the efficiency measured in terms of consumption per tonne transported.

Of the 12 units of the GG5G class, nine will be deployed in the Mediterranean Sea and another three will be operated by the Group subsidiary Finnlines in Northern Europe. In particular, the Eco Valencia will enter service between Italy and Spain, calling regularly at the ports of Livorno, Savona, Barcelona and Valencia.

Article from shipinsight.com by Malcolm Latarche