WWL Launches Post Panamax Vessel
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics launched the first of its new generation of Post Panamax HERO (High Efficiency RoRo) PCTC vessels, M/V Thermopylae.
The Thermopylae was built at the Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries shipyard in Mokpo, South Korea, and her maiden voyage will be from Asia to Europe, starting in the port of Hitachinaka, Japan and finishing in Bremerhaven, Germany. The vessel is the first of eight HERO post panamax vessels that will commence service for WWL from 2015-2017.
Measuring 199.99 m long and 36.5 m wide, Thermopylae features five liftable car decks, allowing for more configurations for cargo of various sizes and hence increased capacity for cars, trucks, equipment and breakbulk. The vessel’s more shallow draft allows her to call ports with shallower depths, increasing her scope of service geographically.
Taking steps towards the Orcelle vision of zero-emission shipping, the Thermopylae design includes emission reducing features such as a streamlined bow, new Promas rudder and an engine configured to allow the vessel to operate more efficiently in a wider range of speeds and drafts. In addition, the vessel is fitted with an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System that reduces sulphur emissions to below 0.1% in compliance with ECA regulations. This system also removes 70% of particulate matter, significantly reducing NOx emissions.
According to Fridtjof Naess, Chief Operating Officer Ocean for WWL, "These Post Panamax vessels are designed to meet customer demands for capacity as well quality and efficiency in both handling and operation. They also illustrate our quest to continuously reduce our environmental impact, and feature optimized hull design and a number of energy saving solutions to ensure efficient operation."
