Ampere

A highly efficient new design of sea/river coaster has entered North Sea trade, linking industrial regions of Germany and England, The Motorship reports. The nature of the design and engineering concept embodied in the 2,300dwt Tharsis, coupled with the ship production philosophy applied, have provided a basis for better ensuring long-term viability in the ever-challenging environment of European short-sea cargo vessel operations. Ultra-efficient coaster ‘Tharsis’ has diesel-electric propulsion and twin screws; she entered service between Duisburg, in the Ruhr heartland, and the UK inland port of Goole. Tharsis has been built to Dutch account by Scheepswerf De Kaap in accordance with the latter’s Kaapcoaster design concept, characterised by exceptional fuel economy resulting primarily from the adoption of a diesel-electric power and propulsion system employing small main generator sets.

On Saturday the 25th of August the latest newbuilding project 253 of Shipyard “De Kaap” in Meppel has been subject to the naming ceremony. After a welcome and introduction by managing director mrs. Thecla Bodewes and a pray of blessing the ship was christened by the two godmothers mrs. Mariska de Jonge and Mrs. Maartje van de Heuvel (respective spouses of the owners) and named “THARSIS”. The type KAAPCOASTER 2300 is the first of a series 2300 DWT multi-purpose “green concept” coasters with low draft and double propulsion powered by two diesel-electric units with a very economic fuel consumption (the reduction, in comparison to a similar vessel with a conventional propulsion arrangement, will be 15%.