The ideas behind the vessel were developed in 2018 by students and teachers at STC Group, along with supporters from the business community, when it was decided to replace the ‘Princess Christina’ and the ‘Princess Beatrix’.  They decided to name the new vessel ‘Ab Initio’ – Latin for ‘in the beginning’.

Drawing upon Concordia Damen’s expertise in sustainable shipping solutions the vessel looks to the future; featuring a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system complete with battery pack. ‘Ab Initio’ will also feature solar cells.

Tim van Berchum, financial manager at Concordia Damen, said, “We are very pleased to be asked by STC Group to build their new training vessel. We are proud to be playing a role in the development of the next generation of maritime personnel. Additionally, ‘Ab Initio’ is notable for its sustainable characteristics. We see this contract, therefore, as a testimony to the work we have done previously in sustainable vessel construction.”

Scheduled for completion in 2022,  the ‘Ab Initio’ will be fitted out at the Concordia Damen yard in Werkendam, The Netherlands.