German inland waterways set to expand in 2010
Even though the economic climate has put most luxuries such as holidays on the back-burner, the German inland passenger vessel market remains strong.
W
hilst other areas in the German shipbuilding industry have suffered a blow from the
economic downturn, newbuilds in the inland vessel sector look to be holding steady. Te Building of inland waterway vessels
in Germany 2004-2008, reports that in 2008 the inland vessel shipbuilding sector had a turn over of €150million, which was twice as much as 2006 and €25million more than 2007. Christian Schilling, of the German
Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association, comments on the German market’s growth: “It is growing! As we can see from the figures [see the report: 2008 Building of inland waterway vessels in Germany 2004 – 2008]”. The Growth of the German inland
shipping industry has mainly been in the passenger/daytrip/river cruise vessels, which in turn is followed by harbour tugs and freight vessels. “We see growth in mainly the passenger
vessel sector, which is probably the most expensive area for the industry, but probably why it is still good in this area,” says Mr Schilling. He adds: “From the figures, we see that
2009 should generate or hold steady with 2008’s figures for newbuilds.” Further development in the inland vessel
sector has seen more ships enter service on rivers such as the Rhine and Danube this year. Tis year AMA waterways announced
that it had launched two more vessels adding to its fleet of vessels, Amadolce and Amalyra which will operate on the Rhine. Also, German-based A-Rosa has launched two further vessels this year, A-Rosa Aqua and A-Rosa Viva, designed to further expand the A-Rosa fleet. Last year saw Alster Lake in Hamburg get a ‘green’ touch to passenger shipping
The Naval Architect November 2009
The Alsterwasser was launched September last year with latest fuel cell technology onboard. (Credit: SSB Oortkaten shipyard)
A-Rosa Aqua sails past Celebrity Equinox. (Credit: Meyer Neptun and Meyer Werft)
with the latest development from fuel cell technology, which was installed on Zemships ‘Zero-emission’ passenger ship the Alsterwasser (see Naval Architect, Nov 08, pg 56). Alsterwasser was delivered September
last year and is the first vessel of this type to operate on the Alster Lake. Te Alsterwasser was constructed at SSB Oortkaten Shipyard and is operated by ATG Alstertouristik, who draſted the designs for the vessel. Te fuel cell hybrid technology in the
vessel was designed by Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH. Felix Heidelberg, chief
technology officer, Proton Motor said at the time of delivery of Alsterwasser: Te FCS Alsterwasser, which is twice as efficient as a common ship with a diesel combustion system, is a prime example for innovation we are certainly very proud of it. It demonstrates very well that tomorrow’s technology can already be applied for every day life today.” Also, expected in the coming future will
be a further three newbuildings with three options being constructed at Volkswerſt Stralshund Shipyard to be delivered in 2010-2012. NA
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