The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery from the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea, of the vessel ‘Great Antwerp’ which is the first of six multipurpose ro-ro units commissioned just over two years ago.
The vessel inaugurates a new class called G5, which is the evolution of the G4 ro-ro multipurpose vessels built by the same shipyard and delivered to the Grimaldi Group in 2014 and 2015. The Great Antwerp is named after the city of Antwerp in Belgium, whose port has been served by Grimaldi’s maritime links for decades and which now is the Group’s main hub in Northern Europe.
With length of 250m, beam of 38m and 45,684 dwt, the Great Antwerp’s design is the result of a careful study of the needs of the Group and its customers: thanks to an innovative and completely customised internal configuration, the G5-class ships are able to transport 4,700 lane metres of rolling freight, 2,500 CEU (Car Equivalent Units) and 2,000 TEU containers. Compared to the previous G4-class, the new vessels have the same capacity for rolling freight while their container capacity doubles.
In addition to loading capacity, the Great Antwerp features technological solutions aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Both the main engine and the auxiliary diesel generators will meet the NOx levels imposed by the Tier III regulation, while the integrated propulsion system between rudder and propeller will minimise vortex losses and, consequently, optimise propulsive efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
The vessel is designed for cold ironing with shoreside supply of electricity (where available) as a green alternative to the consumption of fossil fuels during port stays. Furthermore, the electrical consumption of on-board machinery (pumps, fans, etc.) is reduced thanks to the installation of variable frequency drive devices, while the application of low friction paints reduces hull resistance, thus increasing efficiency. Last but not least, the ship is equipped with hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems for the abatement of sulphur and particulate emissions.
As proof of her high energy and environmental efficiency, the Great Antwerp enables a reduction of CO2 emissions per tonne transported of up to 43% compared to other Grimaldi ro-ro multipurpose ships.
The new vessel will be deployed between Northern Europe and West Africa.
Deep Sea Commercial and Operations Director of the Grimaldi Group Guido Grimaldi said: “The delivery of this ship marks the beginning of a new era for our Group. After the success of our five G3-class, six G4-class, as well as 10 Eurocargo-class ships, all built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, we now inaugurate a new class of ro-ro multipurpose vessels called ‘G5’. This new series of ships responds even more efficiently to the demand for quality transport services on deep sea routes, and to the needs related to the protection of the environment. We are thus taking a further important step within a path undertaken for several years now, aiming to operate on our main routes with a young, modern and eco-sustainable fleet.”
All the G5-class units will be delivered between 2023 and 2024 and deployed on the Grimaldi Group maritime services between Northern Europe and West Africa.
