German owner Reederei Bernd Sibum is building its capacity with a new eco ship order at Damen Shipyards.
The Dutch shipbuilder said the Haren-based family company had put pen to paper for four Damen combination freight carriers of 3,850 dwt, its first order at the yard.
The ships, scheduled for delivery in early 2026, are hybrid-ready and designed to enhance the sustainability, efficiency and lifespan of Bernd Sibum’s fleet, it added.
No price has been given for the units.
Damen said the German owner and manager had initially sought feedback from the current operators of such CF 3850 vessels before ordering.
“The company was impressed by the vessels’ operational efficiency and positive performance testimonials from other customers,” the yard group said.
The ships offer a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency, Damen added.
They are capable of running on biofuels and can be equipped with wind-propulsion technology.
A set of batteries will used by the bow thruster for peak shaving and port operations.
The ships have been prepped for a battery-powered propulsion system and an upgraded shore power connection.
They will be built at Damen Yichang Shipyard in China.
Fleet renewal vital
Bernd Sibur will run them in the north-west European shortsea shipping market.
Damen said fleet renewal is essential to meet evolving operational demands in that sector.
“Our company has a long tradition of collaborating with shipyards to design vessels that meet market needs — a practice we’ve upheld across generations and for over 70 years,” the shipowner’s managing director Bernd Sibum said.
“As a result, we have always built ships that have finally found their market,” he added.
“Together, we’ve ensured these ships are future-proofed to adopt upcoming innovations as soon as they are ready for the shipping market,” Sibum said.
He added the investment is a major step towards decarbonisation, but he also urged ports and the broader shipping industry to develop and implement the necessary shore-based infrastructure.
Damen Cargo Vessels division commercial director Remko Bouma said: “These reliable and modular vessels represent a smart investment in the future of sustainable shipping. We build them to last.”
Bernd Sibur is listed with two container ships of 660 and 672 teu built in 2006 in China.
