On 15 th February, at its yard in Werkendam, the Netherlands, Concordia Damen held a celebration to mark the naming of the Sendo Liner, an innovative dry cargo vessel. Sendo Shipping in cooperation with Concordia Damen has designed a completely new vessel for the optimally efficient transportation of high cube containers between Rotterdam and Groningen, the Netherlands, and other inland terminals. Its specially-designed ballast system also further increases its container capacity.
Sendo Shipping Managing Director Sebastiaan van der Meer says, “The Sendo Liner’s design is driven by our findings over many years of research and experience. It showcases our long-term strategy and vision for the future and will enable our goals of increased sustainability while increasing operational capabilities considerably.”
The vessel is fully optimised for the transportation of containers. The liner, measuring 110 x 11.4 metres, has the ability to carry additional containers in its cargo hold. Additionally, it features an innovative ballast system which enables it to sit lower in the water to increase its available air draft when passing under the bridges it encounters on its route at full loading. In total, the Sendo Liner delivers an 8% increase in loading capacity relative to a conventional vessel of similar size.
The Sendo Liner’s efficiency is not limited to increased capacity. Its diesel-electric propulsion results in very low in emissions, offering a reduction in CO 2 of 40% per container transported. This is a vessel that demonstrates Sendo Shipping’s long-term view; a vessel for the future. The future-proofing of the Sendo Liner goes beyond its sustainable credentials and increased cargo capacity, however. The design is modular, thereby providing the vessel with the versatility for fast adaptation in the future, as well as easy maintenance.
“It’s been a pleasure to work on a vessel as forward-thinking as this one,” says Concordia Damen. “The Sendo Liner is in many ways a vessel that reflects our own philosophy for a more efficient, cleaner future on inland waterways. We wish Sendo Shipping every success with their new vessel and look forward to constructing similar vessels in the future.” Sendo Shipping has already placed an order with Concordia Damen for the delivery of two similar vessels that are currently under construction.
Damen Shipyards Group operates 35 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality. Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology. Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts. For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, winches, anchors, anchor chains and steel works. Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating (and covered) drydocks, including the longest, 420 x 80 metres, and the widest, 405 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.