HGK Shipping commissions low-emission dry cargo ship

HGK Shipping is building a new, low-emission dry cargo ship specifically tailored to the requirements of Salzgitter Flachstahl. The inland shipping company of the HGK Group has now commissioned the corresponding newbuild at the De Gerlien van Tiem shipyard in Druten, Netherlands. Equipped with a diesel-electric drive and solar panels, and designed to be “Future-Fuel-Ready,” the new vessel will specifically contribute to the sustainability efforts of HGK Shipping and Salzgitter AG.

(Köln/Duisburg/Salzgitter) The newbuild is part of the recently agreed long-term partnership between both companies. Upon commissioning, a ship will be replaced within the recently concluded time charter agreement. The dedicated teams from both companies are working hard to develop efficient and climate-friendly solutions for steel logistics on the waterway system. The newbuild ship is an important step in the newly expanded collaboration. The partners have expressed their intention for further innovative ships to follow.

Modern ship space for the steel supply chain

The design of the dry cargo ship for the steel supply chain has been developed and completed by the team at the HGK Shipping Design Center. Powered by a diesel-electric drive, the ship is again designed to be retrofitted with future-oriented drive systems and fuel types. This includes the option to install a void space in the midship section in the future. Additionally, solar panels will be installed on the hatch covers to generate climate-neutral electrical energy, which will not only be fed into the onboard power grid but also integrated into the drive train for the first time. In its dimensions, design, and cargo space layout, the cargo motor vessel is explicitly tailored to the needs of Salzgitter AG. With a length and width of 86 x 9.5 meters, the canal-compatible ship has a carrying capacity of 1,535 tons. It is intended to be used in the shuttle service between the Salzgitter locations and customers in the Netherlands and Belgium to transport steel input and output products such as steel scrap.

Pictured (l. to r.): Marcel van Tiem, Project Manager, De Gerlien van Tiem bv, Florian Bleikamp, Head of Chartering Canal / Rhine, HGK Dry Shipping GmbH, Marijke van Tiem, Director, De Gerlien van Tiem bv, Andreas Lemme, Managing Director, HGK Dry Shipping GmbH, Eric Rietveld, Project Manager, De Gerlien van Tiem bv

Andreas Lemme, Managing Director of HGK Dry Shipping GmbH, stated: “Modern ship space is the foundation for ensuring the future viability of dry shipping. Long-term and close strategic partnerships, such as with Salzgitter AG, strengthen our efforts towards sustainability. Together, we can consistently and purposefully continue the path towards climate neutrality.”

Tim Gödde, Business Unit Director Ship Management at HGK Shipping GmbH, added: “With the new ship, significant CO₂ savings compared to current drives of comparable vessels in dry shipping will be possible. Further savings potential arises from future drive concepts and fuels, which we have already considered in the design.”

Operational start in July 2025

HGK Shipping is once again relying on the proven collaboration with the Dutch shipyard De Gerlien van Tiem, which has already supported the inland shipping company multiple times in implementing innovative ship spaces. The dry cargo ship is scheduled to be commissioned in July 2025.

Photo: © HGK Shipping