New 8,500 DWT Low-Emission Cargo Vessels for Boomsma Shipping and Leonhardt & Blumberg

Supported by JR Ship Brokers and Consultants, Boomsma Shipping and Leonard & Blumberg are at the cradle of a new generation of 8,500 tons low-emission dry cargo vessels, to be built by the Chowgule yard group in India. Within a unique partnership, they placed a joint order for the new construction of a series of two times four of these unique vessels. The partners worked closely with Conoship International for the innovative design. The energy efficiency performance will be impressive: 50% – 90% lower CO2 emissions. 

In close cooperation with Conoship International, Boomsma Shipping developed a next-generation, low-emissions short sea dry cargo vessel type of 8.500 tons. At an early stage of the project development, Hamburg based ‘Leonhardt & Blumberg’ became a project partner. Known for their strong position in the container vessel market and the product tanker market Leonhardt & Blumberg has decided to diversify into the short sea dry cargo vessel market as well. The Boomsma group was selected as strategic partner on the basis of its long year standing in the market, its know-how, excellent track record and on the basis of the two companies sharing the same visions and values for the future. JR Shipbrokers & Consultants (part of JR Shipping Group), with whom both Boomsma and Leonhardt & Blumberg work closely together, acted as matchmaker and newbuilding broker.

The low-emissions short sea dry cargo vessels of 8.500 tons

The two owners jointly ordered a series of four plus four vessels with Chowgule Shipbuilding in India. Chowgule will build these vessels at their new shipyard in Mangalore which will start production spring 2024 once the yard facility has been modernized.

The unique characteristics of the new design are:

  •     Extremely efficient in terms of cargo carrying capacity per energy unit.
  •     8.500 ton deadweight – 13.900 cubic meter single hold – open top – complete tween deck.
  •     Optimized diesel electric propulsion ready for life-time expansion and future fuels.
  •     50% – 60% less propulsion energy needed compared to existing tonnage.
  •     Ready for innovations such as: wind assisted propulsion, carbon capture and emission free operation on batteries to lower emissions even further.
  •     50% – 90% lower CO₂ emissions.

From autumn 2025 onwards the vessels will be delivered either to Boomsma Shipping or Leonhardt & Blumberg. Once in service, the vessels will all be commercially operated in a pool by NewTide Chartering in Rotterdam, part of the Boomsma group.

8,500 tons low-emission dry cargo vessels

Climate change can no longer be ignored and ‘change of course’ is absolutely necessary. Regulations to achieve a greener shipping industry are coming into force. For the short term, our focus is on fuel consumption reduction. As a consequence, emissions are lowered.

Mr. Johan Boomsma of Boomsma Shipping

The short sea shipping space is where most of the innovation takes place in order to make vessels more energy efficient and to achieve much less emissions of – for instance – CO₂. While entering this market, our group was to be an early adopter of these new technologies and therefore wanted to invest in a cutting- edge vessel type. Furthermore, it was important to us that the vessels would be built at a comfort offering, experienced shipyard and we are therefore very happy with the partnership with Chowgule Shipbuilding.

Mr. Torben Koelln of Leonhardt & Blumberg