Neptune Group Takes Delivery of Dual-Fuel Vessel “Nikos Travlos” in China

Greek shipping group Neptune Group took delivery of the vessel “Nikos Travlos” at the Fujian Mawei shipyard in Fuzhou, China. This is the second ship of the Genesis Project, the fleet renewal program incorporating new Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC) with LNG dual-fuel propulsion.

According to Baird Maritime, the vessel has a length overall of 177.8 meters, a beam of 33.4 meters and a draft of 8.65 meters, with a deadweight of 13,393 tonnes and a gross tonnage of 55,492 GT, classed by DNV. Diario del Puerto, however, reports a length overall of 177 meters and a gross tonnage of 55,000 GT. The PCTC has a capacity of 4,200 CEUs, 12 car decks and a service speed of 18 knots, and is also fitted with a 500kWh battery and solar panels, designed by the Finnish firm Deltamarin.

The delivery took place at a ceremony led by Neptune Group Chairwoman Melina Travlou, daughter of Nikos Travlos, the company's founder in whose honor the vessel was named. Travlou noted that the delivery marks the start of celebrations for the shipping company's 50th anniversary, and pointed out that, unlike the rest of the fleet, which bears the characteristic “eyes” on the bow, the “Nikos Travlos” also features a mustache as a symbolic tribute to her father.

According to Baird Maritime, the “Nikos Travlos” is the second of a series of four 4,200 CEU vessels built under this renewal program, while Diario del Puerto states that the series comprises six sister ships under the dual-fuel Genesis project. The lead vessel of the series, “Neptune Pireas,” was delivered in April and is already operating on the Mediterranean and Black Sea route. Baird Maritime notes that the next two vessels, “Neptune Afthonia” and “Neptune Melpomeni,” will arrive in 2027, while Diario del Puerto anticipates two additional units next year and the remaining ones starting in 2028.

Days after its delivery, the “Nikos Travlos” made its first call at the Port of Barcelona, where representatives of the port and Neptune Lines presented the commemorative plaque to the vessel's captain. The ship serves the route connecting Greece and Turkey with Spain, France and Morocco, and according to the Catalan port, it increases cargo capacity by 36% compared with the shipping company's previous series of vessels.