Vertom Group takes delivery of first of 12 diesel-electric short-sea vessels from Chowgule Shipyards

Vertom Group has taken delivery of MV Vertom Rita, the first of a series of 12 diesel-electric short-sea vessels ordered from Chowgule Shipyards in India.

The 6,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) vessel is the smaller version of the 7,280 DWT vessel built in the Netherlands, of which six have already been delivered. With the delivery of the first ship of the 6,000 DWT series, the renewal and sustainability efforts of the fleet continues.

Efficiency and crew welfare

The MV Vertom Rita incorporates diesel-electric propulsion technology, ensuring compliance with IMO Tier III standards while minimizing environmental impact. The modular system uses smaller, efficient engines that adjust to sailing profiles for optimal fuel consumption. This design not only reduces energy use but is also ready for future alternative fuels, such as methanol-electric or hydrogen-electric propulsion, underscoring Vertom’s commitment to sustainability.

In addition to its advanced engineering, the vessel is equipped with advanced data connectivity and automation systems, simplifying reporting and administrative tasks to improve crew efficiency.

Performance and flexibility

With its box-shaped dry cargo hold, MV Vertom Rita has been designed to offer flexibility, catering to diverse shipping needs such as bulk and breakbulk transportation. The design is aid to optimize operational efficiency by combining reduced energy consumption with optimized cargo intake.  Measuring 99m in length and with a gross tonnage of 3,923 GT, the vessel has been designed to provide reliability and performance in short-sea operations.

The construction process benefited from proven designs and collaborative expertise, ensuring a streamlined build that emphasizes safety, durability and consistency across the fleet.

A new era

“The delivery of MV Vertom Rita is again a milestone for Vertom as we continue to renew our fleet and align with our long-term strategy,” said Arjan de Jong, CEO of Vertom Group. “It is good to see the first vessel in this series ready to embark on its maiden voyage. We wish the crew a safe journey and look forward to welcoming the 11 additional vessels that will follow in the coming years.”

In addition to this series of 12 vessels, Vertom is investing in a broader fleet renewal program. Alongside the 7,280 DWT vessels currently under construction in the Netherlands, these smaller ships represent a significant modernization effort. “With these vessels, we are making great strides toward achieving our target of reducing carbon intensity by 40% by 2030,” De Jong said.

Journey to Europe

MV Vertom Rita has started her journey to Europe, where she will operate in the European short-sea market. The vessel combines a box-shaped cargo hold for optimal loading flexibility with an optimized hull design. This ensures maximum fuel efficiency during navigation and loading operations, contributing to Vertom’s sustainability goals.

In related news, Vard recently signed a new contract for the design and construction of five walk-to-work vessels for over €200m (US$210m). Click here to read the full story.