Design Environment

A NEW ERA IN SEA-RIVER SHIPPING

Bridge view of the control position at night

"THARSIS THE FIRST DIESEL-ELECTRIC COASTER"

For decades there have been little to no groundbreaking revolutions in the sea-rivership market. New ships were seldom built and when, they were rarely designed practical let alone progressive.

This changed with the build of mv Tharsis. With our company's long term view and current and future environmental legislation in mind the choice for a diesel-electric propulsion was not a difficult one. Two electromotors are driven by an intelligent power management system (DPMS) by D&A Electric, which provides optimal use of power delivered by either 1, 2 or 3 Volvo Penta generatorsets. This redundant setup not only enhances the employability but opens the possibility in the future to switch to alternative powersources like hydrogen generators or batteries once these technologies become more affordable and reliable. The system reduces fuel consumption considerably and therefore minimizing Co2 and harmful pollutants as well. The ship's very low average Co2 emmissions for 2016 up to date are about 1 gram co2 per tonne/kilometer (WtW).

CLINSH

The Clinsh (CLean Inland Shipping) Project is a data gathering project which is part of the European Unions "Life" program. In an European tender the Tharsis is selected as one of the ship's that will be closely followed by monitoring the emissions of the Diesel-Electric propulsion system. This data will provide valuable information of it's environmental performance to the shipping sector itself as well as to public sector authorities at all levels. The knowlegde gained will also support new policy meant to reduce harmfull emissions.

For more information visit the project website at: www.clinsh.eu

CLEANSHIP and ESI

Our company is proud holder of a Bureau Veritas Class Cleanship Notation. This voluntary but important accreditation is the result of the company's progressive sea and air pollution limitation policies.

The Tharsis is also registered in the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) which is part of the World Port Climate Initiative (WPCI). The ESI identifies seagoing ships that perform better in reducing air emissions than required by the current emission standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In 2014 the Tharsis was the 5th cleanest ship to call on the Port of Rotterdam that year.

For more information visit: www.environmentalshipindex.org

AHEAD OF THE GAME

Several design features ensure the reduction of potential harmful situations to the environment. The Tharsis has no oiltanks in her double bottom and in addition all oiltanks are double skinned. In case of a hull perforation the risk of a spill is therefore reduced to a minimum. Extra overflow possibilities and double bunkeralarm systems also add to safety. All amenities that are not compulsary and rarely found on ships.

The hull design and relatively small twin-propellor layout enable the Tharsis to sail empty without ballastwater in her tanks. This not only reduces fuel consumption and emissions further, but the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through ballastwater is minimized as well. Currently the company is anticipating on the implementation of full ballast water treatment by preparing for the installation of a treatment plant, as in september 2017 the IMO regulations on Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments will enter into force.