An opening contract has been secured by Dutch shipbuilder Thecla Bodewes for a new generation of short-sea cargo vessel powered by a multi-genset diesel-electric plant.

The 5,100dwt multi-purpose dry cargo carrier, dubbed the SALMO 5000 type, is to the account of Transtal Shipping, based in the north Netherlands at Spijk, near Delfzijl, and is scheduled to be delivered during the autumn of 2024.

As well as signifying a departure from conventional propulsion arrangements, a compelling feature of the newbuild is a highly competitive fuel consumption, which the builder claims will average less than 3t of marine gas oil (MGO) per day. In the commercially rigorous short-sea sector, such performance relative to the vessel’s load capacity bodes well for long-term viability.

Efficiency springs from the adoption of a modular power installation, using three 532bkW generator sets and two 600ekW electric propulsion motors, in combination with a tailored hull form.