Damen Shipyards Group delivered the second of four Combi Freighters 3850 to Reederei Bernd Sibum after successful sea trials in Shanghai. The vessels are under construction at Damen Yichang Shipyard in China. The first vessel, delivered at the beginning of February, is on its maiden voyage to Norway with project cargo.
The new-generation CF 3850 is designed for high efficiency. In its standard configuration, the vessel can operate on 100% biofuel and is prepared for hybrid propulsion. For this series, Reederei Bernd Sibum secured German government funding to add further sustainable features.
The support came through NaMKü, the sustainable modernisation programme for coastal ships awarded by the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport. The programme is intended to reduce the environmental footprint of short sea shipping. Funding for the green modifications is being provided jointly by NaMKü and the owner, with Mare Trust AG of Oldenburg taking the lead on the equity side.
As a result, the four vessels will feature hybrid propulsion with a PTO/PTI system, enabling zero-emission sailing for a limited period. They will also have shore power connection capability in port. In addition, the ships will be fitted with Econowind Ventifoils, which are expected to reduce fuel consumption by a further 12.5%. The first vessel is scheduled to undergo that installation at Damen Shiprepair Harlingen after arriving in Europe.
For the project, Damen carried out Hardware-in-the-Loop testing of onboard systems and automation. This method connects the hardware intended for the vessels to a simulated virtual environment, allowing safe and repeated testing, adjustment and validation before construction. The approach supports efficient commissioning and helps ensure the vessels meet expectations from the outset.
The CF 3850 vessels are also being fitted with Damen Triton, an IoT platform that collects and analyses data from thousands of sensors across the vessels. This enables real-time sailing optimisation and provides feedback for the further development of future vessel designs.
Bern Sibum, Managing Director of Reederei Bernd Sibum, said the aim was to improve environmental performance while also delivering advantages for charterers and greater comfort for crew. He added that cooperation between the teams in Yichang, the Netherlands and the owner’s organisation contributed significantly to the final quality of the vessels. Remko Bouma, Commercial Director of Damen Cargo Vessels, said the owner’s operational perspective had been valuable to the continued development of the design.
