NUMMER 11 I 21 JUNI ‘EGBERT WAGENBORG’ FIRST IN A SERIES OF EASYMAX SHIPS


EasyMax: Easy to operate, maximum performance


DELFZIJL The EasyMax is an Open Top Multipurpose Ice Classed ship with a deadweight capacity of 14,200 ton and a hold volume of 625,000 cubic feet. ‘Egbert Wagenborg – the first in a series – was christened on Friday 21 April in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. She is an entirely new type of ship called the EasyMax by Wagenborg. Thanks to the combination of enormous cargo capacity and a very low fuel con- sumption, Wagenborg has entered the absolute top of the segment with this ship where sustainability is concerned. The unique design of this ship, with the bridge and the accommodation incorporated in the prow, was developed by Royal Wagenborg and Royal Niestern Sander. When present- ing the design, Wagenborg stated that the interests of customers had been top priority. The objective was to realise a significantly more efficient and more reliable form of transport. Moreover, EasyMax is relatively easy to build and to operate.


With a deadweight capacity of 14,200 ton and a hold volume of 625,000 cubic feet (around 17,700 m3


), the EasyMax is the largest vessel


ever built indoors. She has a length of 149.95 m, a width of 15.90 m and a draught of 8.60 m, which are the maximum dimensions shipyard Royal Niestern Sander are able to handle. Aſter all, aſter the ship has been completed, she has to manoeuvre around a rather sharp bend as she leaves the yard. She has two large square holds that are 13.50 m wide and 12.10 m high, and 47.36 m and 64.38 m long, respectively. The EasyMax excels in her class because of the very high intake of heavy or light cargo, forest products, as well as open-top cargo. As a result, the ship has a maximum deployability in the Wagenborg trade area. The EasyMax is suitable for global merchant shipping, including the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, St. Lawrence Seaway, the Panama Canal, and the Suez Canal.


Low fuel consumption With the EasyMax, Wagenborg has launched a relatively large ship in terms of cargo intake and hold capacity, without increasing the overall dimensions and ship’s weight in any amounts to speak of. In addition, the combination of the main engine, gearbox, propeller, and jet pipe has turned the EasyMax into an energy-efficient propelling installation, resulting in an extremely low level of fuel consumption. Moreover, the hull shape has been optimised for a range of draughts, resulting in an ultra-low EEDI – Energy Efficiency Design Index.


Bridge and accommodation in front As opposed to the majority of the Wagenborg fleet, the EasyMax has the bridge and accommodation incorporated in the prow. One of the starting points of the ship’s design was to combine maximum dimensions with two large square holds. By incorporating the accommodation in the prow, which has the rather streamlined shape necessary for minimum fuel consumption, much more cargo room could be created at the back and on deck. Moreover, the overall ship’s weight was reduced this way. Which was further reinforced by the fact that there is no obstruction of the view by deck loads and open-top cargo. As a result, the accommoda- tion could be located on a lower deck. Added advantage is that the centre of gravity was lowered, adding to the ship’s stability and, consequently, her cargo capacity. And finally, the accommodation was given an aero- dynamic shape, resulting in less resistance by wind and so on, further reducing fuel consumption. The energy-efficient propelling installation – a combination of a 2.999 kW MAK main engine, gearbox, and a propeller inside a jet pipe – of this remarkable vessel


19


contributes to the new standard of sustainable shipping introduced by Wagenborg. In the design of the EasyMax, the facilities in the hold have been limited to a minimum. For example, there are no intermediate decks, container fittings, lashing fittings, or beams in the hatch package. Aſter all, most of the cargo transported by Wagenborg does not need these options. Facilities that have been included are partitions, air dryers and hold lighting. But the net results are a more economical and more light-weight ship that is easy to operate and requires a minimum of maintenance.


Comfort on board Of course, customers’ interests head the priority list. But a high level of comfort for the crew has also been an important focal point of the design. Because the accommodation is incorporated in the prow and the engine room is at the back, the modern cabins suffer very little noise nuisance. In addition, the spacious fitness room and the large dayroom and messroom contribute to a comfortable working and living environment. During the design process, the users were intensively consulted in order to optimise the work rooms where ergonomics, safety, technology, and layout are concerned. For example, the new AlphaBridge allows clear view all round. Other examples include the access to the hold via the storage room underneath the hatches and the step from the accommodation onto the hatch carriage. In addition, there is excellent satellite connection for tv and internet on board, allowing the crew to communicate with their loved ones. The internet connection is also used for monitoring of the equipment on board from the shore, enabling more efficient maintenance and support. In this context, a number of innovative modifications has been realised, each contributing to the safety standard on board, such as the alarm, radar, ECDIS, and CCTV screens, which can be consulted both on board and on shore. Impulse for the north of the Netherlands The ship was built within 18 months and was delivered in April of 2017. Around 60 people have been working on the EasyMax in the


Royal Niestern Sander shipyard. In addition, various subcontractors and suppliers from the region have been involved in the project. They include the design agency Conoship International, supplier of electrotechnical systems Eekels Technology (TBI), Wolfard & Wessels who installed the piping, steel-package supplier Centraalstaal, Coops & Nieborg who supplied the hatches, Gebr. De Haan who supplied the HVAC equipment, conservation specialists Schildersbedrijf De Graaf, Maritime Technology who took care of the structural design, Ship’s Equipment Centre Groningen who provided the deck equipment, Benes Marine Technology who supplied the rudder, Esmee Marine who provided the furniture on board, Nautische Unie Hunfeld who provided the safety equipment, and many others. Each and every one of these companies are located in the province of Groningen. Together, they worked on the EasyMax, thereby emphasising the value of the maritime cluster in the north of the Netherlands. It is estimated that this project has provided around 80 man years of indirect jobs within the maritime sector – a real boost for the labour market in the north of the Netherlands. Which is rather extraordinary in an economi- cally shrinking region such as this one.


General specifications Overall length


Gross tonnage Net tonnage Draught max DWT max


Draught open top DWT open top Hold capacity Speed Flag


Ice class


Classification body Main engine


Power main engine


Length between plumb lines 147.30 m Overall width Depth


12.20 m 8.878 4.321


8.60 m


14.200 t 7.20 m


11.000 t


625.000 cſt 11.5 kn Dutch 1A


Bureau Veritas MAK 6M32C 2.999 kW


149.95 m 15.90 m


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28