Damen yard to build sustainable inland ships for Amer Shipping

Werkendam-based Concordia Damen is to build two low-draught 110m-long dry cargo vessels for Amer Shipping, an inland waterway transport company also based in the Netherlands.

The CDS Dry Cargo 110 vessels have been designed with an optimised hull form for operation in shallow waters, and greater cargo capacity at shallow draught compared with inland craft with similar dimensions, the shipbuilder claimed.

The latest design can carry 200 tonnes more cargo than comparable ships in similar conditions and continue operating, partially loaded, in water levels of just 1.15m. Another key feature, particularly for operation on German waterways, is low air draught. The vessel can navigate under bridges of 4.3m at a draught of just 2.5m.

Amer Shipping operates a fleet of 57 vessels, including tankers, dry cargo and container ships. A principal focus is the shipment of construction materials and project cargoes for various industries, totalling about eight million tonnes a year.

Noting that the company’s customers are focused on the sustainability of new vessels, Amer Shipping co-owner Peter Buijks said: “Our customers are increasingly looking at their CO₂ emissions … we have been working on making our daily operations more sustainable for some time now. New ships must match this effort.”