Enercon Launches E-Ship 1 in Kiel

On August 2, ship naming and launching ceremonies for Enercon’s new E-Ship 1 took place at Lindenau GmbH shipyards in Kiel. After launching, the ship will be hauled to the fitting dock where the final details – fixtures, fittings and equipment – will be installed before the ship is delivered in December this year. The ship’s sponsor, Martina Kuhlmann, Enercon executive assistant, christened the vessel and wished the typical German saying: “Immer eine Handbreit Wasser unterm Kiel” which means “always at least as much water under the keel as the hand is wide”, and in addition “always favourable winds”. The name “E-Ship” was originally only meant to identify the project, but in the meantime the name has caught on so well that Enercon decided to use it to name the actual ship. The “E-” in E-Ship is a symbolic letter. Next year, after the ship has been fully equipped and trial runs completed, the Aurich-based wind turbine manufacturer will start using the vessel to transport its turbines and components worldwide. A large portion of the energy required to propel the ship will be supplied by four sailing rotors – large, rotating, vertical metal cylinders, 25 m tall.