Coastal vessel ‘Amadeus Titanium’ operated by HGK Shipping subsidiary Amadeus Shiffahrts- und Speditions has recently been equipped with VentoFoils from Econowind at the Dutch port town of Harlingen.
The vessel is chartered to polymer manufacturer Covestro. Its wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) technology makes use of wind power for the drive system and enables average fuel savings of about 10% with a corresponding reduction in the vessel’s CO2 emissions.
Nils Peterzelka, Sourcing Manager Regional Bulk Shipping, Covestro, said: “A very long cooperation arrangement based on trust connects us with our logistics partner, HGK Shipping. The equipment installed on board the Amadeus Titanium represents another important step taken within this relationship and is enabling us to make our supply chains even more sustainable.”
Wolfgang Nowak, MD Amadeus Schiffahrts- und Speditions, added: “By using WAPS, i.e. so-called wind assistance propulsion systems such as the VentoFoils from Econowind, we’re able to save fuel in our short-sea transport operations for Covestro. This brings with it both economic and ecological benefits.”
Steffen Bauer, CEO HGK Group and HGK Shipping, said: “Technological progress will create more options to complete transport logistics operations in the maritime sector and in the waterways system with lower emissions in future. Working with strategic partners such as Covestro, we’re seizing the opportunities that the market is opening up in the field of drive technologies, for example, or those that we’re developing for the design of vessels, often in conjunction with our customers.”
Cristina-Maria Danila, Head of Global Supply Chain and Logistics, Covestro, added: “It’s our goal to reduce our CO2 emissions in logistics by 30% by 2035 and already be climate-neutral in 2050. Today marks a further milestone in our transformation towards green logistics.”
Covestro and HGK Shipping have a long and successful partnership in inland waterway transport and short-sea shipping. The companies have signed the extension of a cooperation arrangement until 2040. Within this partnership, the Amadeus Titanium will exclusively transport Covestro products on European short-sea routes.
Image: ‘Amadeus Titanium’, equipped with Econowind VentoFoils (credit: HGK Shipping)
