Based in the Netherlands, Sendo Shipping has maintained a 24/7 container liner service for more than 15 years between the seaports of Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Antwerp – as well as various inland terminals in the north of the Netherlands. Now the company is moving to uncharted waters with the launch of the first battery-hybrid inland barge.
A 110m inland container ship operating routes between the North of the Netherlands and the Port of Rotterdam, the aim of the Sendo Liner is to create a diesel-electric vessel that massively reduces CO2 emissions and is able to sail emissions-free through Rotterdam harbour – a feat that’s rewarded by a waiver on harbour tax. To reach this low emission goal Sendo Shipping focused on three key areas: fuel efficiency, optimized hull design and lower power requirements.
Sendo Shipping discussed several options for the propulsion solution with Koedood Marine Group. Together they designed the whole propulsion line, including its battery bank. Out of several options and brands, the two Volvo Penta D16 engines, with a 450kW output, were chosen as being the best fit and most fuel-efficient option. From then on Volvo Penta worked as an advisor to the project. With over 100 years’ experience in marine propulsion and some large pioneering hybrid projects under its belt, Volvo Penta is able to tailor a solution to a particular vessel and understands the whole boatbuilding process, from design to operation.
“We really enjoyed working with Volvo Penta,” said Gertjan de Gelder, Sales Director, Koedood Marine Group. “The ease of communication and integration of its total solution made collaboration simple and efficient. The engines perform and react quickly when extra power is required. The Volvo Penta D16 Gensets run at optimal fuel efficiency, which contributes to the reduction in CO2 emissions of the vessel.”
These dual engines act as the propulsion and power supply for the entire vessel – charging the Lithium-Ion batteries – which have a total capacity of 564 kWh (the equivalent of seven Volvo XC40 P8 AWD electric cars). The impressive liner can run for two to three hours on battery alone, before switching to diesel mode.
“We have never used Volvo Penta before in any of our vessels,” said Sebastiaan van der Meer, Owner of Sendo Shipping. “But we have been so impressed by the performance, fuel efficiency and service provided by Volvo Penta we’ve transformed from a first-time customer to an ambassador for the Volvo Penta brand. In their first 9 months in operation the Volvo Penta engines have proven themselves in daily operations.”
