Dutch company JR Shipping has confirmed an order for two Conoship-designed ECO-8500 dry cargo vessels to be built by Chowgule Shipyards.
Conoship International developed the ECO-8500 in cooperation with Boomsma Shipping as a series of eco-friendly, diesel-electric dry cargo vessels designed to meet the growing need for sustainable short-sea transport. Previous ECO-8500 series orders were placed by Boomsma Shipping and Leonhardt & Blumberg. The series consists of eight low-emission dry cargo vessels designed by Conoship International and built by the Chowgule yard group in India. Delivery of the two vessels for JR Shipping is expected in June 2027 and February 2028.
The diesel-electric, high-cubic-capacity ECO-8500 vessels are equipped with features that are intended to contribute to a greener future, being engineered to efficiently and safely handle a wide range of cargo types. The vessels have a spacious, optimised box-shaped single hold designed for maximum cargo flexibility. The hold volume is 13,900m3, with open-top configuration and a complete tween deck for cargo adaptability. Another feature is the ability to carry containers, breakbulk, and dry bulk commodities, making the vessels a workhorse for dynamic short sea operations.
At the core of the ECO-8500 is an advanced diesel-electric propulsion system, with four Volvo Penta Tier III generator sets fitted wit SCR to reduce NOₓ emissions. The engine room is designed on with a modular concept, for easy conversion to alternative fuels in the future. The design supports optimised operations and ensures compliance with the latest IMO environmental regulations.
The series is designed to actively reduce the impact on maritime emissions. As the industry grows and adapts to the evolving needs to protect the seas, the ECO-8500 is equipped with a range of green technologies including:
- Wind-assisted propulsion readiness
- Battery-electric hybrid compatibility
- Carbon capture system integration
Since sustainability is a shared priority, the vessels designed by Conoship are future-ready and able to adapt to upcoming regulatory and technological changes without requiring major redesign.
Image: Conoship’s ECO-8500 sustainable short sea cargo ship design (credit: Conoship International)
