AMS Barging Christens Methanol-Ready Tanker Felicitas in Rotterdam

Dutch inland shipping company AMS Barging christened its new diesel-electric tanker Felicitas on Friday, October 16, at Noordereiland, Rotterdam. The naming ceremony was performed by Liv and Julie, daughters of company co-owner Igor Jansen. The vessel is 135 metres long, has a cargo capacity of approximately 9,000 cubic metres, and was designed to accommodate future modifications enabling methanol bunkering. With this addition, AMS Barging's fleet now numbers 17 vessels.

Felicitas was designed by RensenDriessen Shipbuilding and outfitted by Den Breejen Shipyard; according to Baird Maritime, the hull was built at a partner shipyard in China, while final outfitting was completed in the Netherlands. The vessel features 12 cargo tanks -described by Manifold Times and Hellenic Shipping News as cargo tanks and by Baird Maritime as zinc-coated tanks-, a dual piping system, two mass flow meters, a nitrogen generator, a bunkering arm, and a pumping capacity of 1,800 cubic metres per hour. Baird Maritime adds that the vessel is also fitted with a cargo heating system.

The vessel has diesel-electric propulsion with Z-drives, azimuth thruster units that improve manoeuvrability, and its engines meet Stage V emission standards. AMS Barging reported that similar diesel-electric propulsion systems already in use across its fleet have cut fuel consumption and emissions by around 25% compared with conventionally propelled vessels.

After completing her maiden commercial voyage, Felicitas is now operating in the spot market, currently carrying both dirty and clean petroleum products, as specified by Baird Maritime. AMS Barging noted that there is strong demand for high-capacity tankers capable of transporting substantial cargo volumes efficiently, thereby reducing the number of vessel movements required. Felicitas follows her sister vessel Fortuna, christened in Rotterdam in June of this year and which, according to Baird Maritime, is owned by BP and managed and operated by AMS Barging.

According to Hellenic Shipping News and Manifold Times, interest in methanol as a marine fuel continues to grow: per the Methanol Institute, there are more than 150 methanol-capable vessels operating worldwide and over 290 more under construction. Martin van Veen, commercial director at AMS Barging, said no one knows exactly what the fuel mix will look like ten years from now, and that the company regards methanol as one of the key alternatives, which is why it is investing in vessels that can operate efficiently today while being prepared for future developments.