container-fitted" general, cargo vessels.
Although the trio of 6,100 dwt newbuildings' _will be classed for unrestricted navigation, the specification and nature of the tonnage will particularly suit 
the Dutch operator's extensive involvement in Baltic and European shortsea trade.

The Wagenborg ships are due for delivery in August, October and December next year, and will be based on the design adopted for a series of 5,780 dwt multipurpose vessels in hand at the Delfzijl yard for the German company Intersee Schiffahrts, domiciled at Haren on Ems.

The latest contract means that Royal Niestern Sander has attracted orders for a total of nine newbuildings in the container compatible, general purpose category since December last year, underscoring the enduring market prominence of the northern Dutch shipyards in the small dry cargo vessel field.

The trio of Wagenborg 'maids of-all-work' will each incorporate hull reinforcement to Finnish-Swedish 1A ice class standard. 

The two-hold design offers an enclosed cargo capacity of 298,500 cu ft, with tanktop strengthening to 15 t/sq m and moduling for an all-up container load of 256 teu, embracing 45 ft units as well as 20 ft and 40 ft boxes. 

Cargo carrying arrangements include the specification of two movable bulkheads in the holds, and provision for the transport of dangerous goods.

Propulsion will be by a 2,970 kW medium-speed engine, driving a controllable pitch propeller through reduction gearing, and with manoeuvring assisted 
by a 350 kW bow thruster.

At 113.76 m overall, the Wagenborg traders will be 7.65 m longer than the Intersee vessels, but will share the same breadth of 14.4 m and depth of 8.1 
m, and a similar draught just in excess of 6 m_ The elongation of the hull and resultant increase in volume will make for a gross tonnage of about 4,250 
GT, compared with circa 3,900 GT for the Intersee sextet.

As with the Wagenborg tonnage, the structure of the Intersee vessels will meet Swedish/Finnish ice class 1A requirements, and the corresponding 
stipulations of Bureau Veritas.

Construction of the hulls of the German newbuildings has been subcontracted to a yard in Poland, and deliveries of the complete vessels are scheduled 
from Royal Niestern Sander between October 2004 and September 2005. The hulls of the Wagenborg ships will also be supplied from an as yet 
unnamed overSeas yard.

The diversified Dutch shipbuilding and shiprepair firm is set to hand over a 101.75 m research vessel to Compagnie Nationale de Navigation of France in 
September this year.

Representing one of the most challenging projects ever Undertaken by Royal Niestern Sander, the Minrem has been fitted with accommodation for up 
to 110 research personnel and crew, laid out over four decks, and has been designed and equipped for lengthy periods of duty at sea.