The Rhenus Group and Contargo ceremonially christened the hybrid tandem tow Mannheim I+II at the Duisburg port last Wednesday. It is the first vessel in their self-described innovative series and is intended to set new benchmarks for sustainable freight transport. At the same time, semi-autonomous inland shipping is to be developed further.
Thus, with the new propulsion concept and the presented modern remote-control technology, an important step toward climate-friendly and automated inland shipping is being taken, it is said. Contargo CEO Jürgen Albersmann, project partner and charterer of the hybrid tandem tow:
„The Mannheim fits perfectly into our comprehensive transformation and decarbonization strategy for trimodal container transport and closes the gap in cross-mode, trimodal and emissions-optimized transport on the Rhine axis.“
The christening was traditionally performed
by the godmother Irmgard Rethmann as representative of the owner family, and the newbuild was blessed by ship chaplain Frank Wessel. Andreas Stöckli, board member of the Rhenus Group:
„The Mannheim I+II is more than a ship – it is a symbol of the transformation in inland shipping. With this project, we show how innovative technology and responsibility for our environment can work together.“
The hybrid propulsion of Mannheim I+II
The 193-meter-long tandem tow Mannheim I+II combines five Euro-6 diesel engines, which are powered by the synthetic fuel HVO100, with a self-charging battery system. This has a capacity of 840 kWh. In the future, two hydrogen fuel cells are also planned to be added.
The flexibly combinable and interchangeable propulsion configurations feed two synchronous electric motors,
each delivering 960 kW of power, directly connected to the propeller shaft to enable quiet operation. Moreover, according to the two companies, operation with battery, diesel and hydrogen could achieve a reduction of CO2 and NOx emissions by up to 72 percent. With the use of HVO100, the reduction would then rise to 90 percent.
The design and propulsion technology with a Flex-Tunnel propeller enable travel even in low water up to a draft of 1.20 meters and are specifically geared for use on the Rhine corridor between the ARA ports and Wörth am Oberrhein. With the Flex-Tunnel technology, one can maneuver more precisely and achieve a shallower positioning of the propeller in the fairway. Herbert Berger, Managing Director of Rhenus Ship Management:
„The combination of
various forward-looking technologies makes the Mannheim unique, and thus makes Rhenus a pace-setter for technical innovations in inland shipping.“
Remote control in the research project “FernBin”
In the framework of the christening, the remote-control technology was also presented, which will in the future be used in the new series. Thus, the already converted inland vessel “Ernst Kramer” equipped with the corresponding technology, as well as the control station from the research project “FernBin”, were presented. Divisional head of Rhenus Port Logistics, Michael de Reese:
„The future of freight traffic exists only with inland shipping as an indispensable mode of transport. Through investments in future technologies, digitalization, decarbonization as well as the necessary infrastructure, it will represent a key factor in implementing Europe’s energy- and transport-transition goals.“
