The first ship in a series of highly efficient shortsea cargo vessels entered service at the end of 2022. Namely, the Vertom Patty was designed to anticipate future trends, as its electric power plant is ready for conversion to methanol fuel or hydrogen power.
The Vertom Patty was built at the Thecla Bodewes Shipyards in The Netherlands for Vertom. The hybrid concept of the vessel is designed to be ready for future developments.
More specifically, it will be possible to convert the vessel’s propulsion to either methanol-electric or hydrogen-electric. The company has also started exploring the use of wind-assisted propulsion recently installing wind foils on two of its vessels for testing.
According to Vertom, the hybrid design is an important step in its target to reduce carbon intensity by 40% by 2030.
Vertom Patty completed its sea trials at the beginning of December before the handover. The vessel’s maiden voyage began on December 30 from Delfzijl, The Netherlands to Santander Spain.
Vertom Patty was launched in late September 2022, while two more vessel are on the plans. The second vessel is due towards the end of April 2023 and the full class is scheduled to be delivered by mid-2025.
