The world’s first LNG-powered crane vessel – Werkendam – started work on its first project this week.
The vessel is carrying out maintenance work in the Port of Rotterdam.
The Werkendam was built by the Dutch shipyard Neptune in Hardinxveld-Giessendam for the client Van Oord.
The vessel, first Van Oord ship to run entirely on LNG, has a storage tank on the aft deck and can store enough LNG to sail and operate for fourteen days without refueling.
Compared to a diesel-powered vessel, the Werkendam emits 80% less particulate matter and 70% less nitrogen. It also boasts a CO2 reduction of 25%.
As well as running on LNG, the vessel has more sustainable innovations on board. For example, the electric crane is equipped with devices known as ultracaps, which recover energy when a load is released.
Van Oord will deploy the crane vessel mainly on Dutch projects for its subsidiary Paans Van Oord.