Stolt-Nielsen has clinched a deal to build an innovative new tanker capable of coping with fluctuating water levels in the Rhine river in Germany.
The Norwegian company's Stolt Tankers unit said the low-water carrier has been commissioned by chemicals giant BASF for its exclusive use. Both companies have cooperated on the design.
The ship can operate at "extreme" low-water levels on the key waterway for chemicals transport in Europe.
Stolt Tankers added that during dry weather, conventional vessels are unable to fully load, increasing transport costs and delaying products.
The new unit will still be able to pass the critical point in the Rhine near Kaub, carrying 650 tonnes of cargo even at a water depth of 1.6m — significantly more than any other tanker available, the company claimed.
At average water depths it has a transport capacity of around 2,500 dwt, twice that of conventional inland vessels.
The ship will be built by Mercurius Shipping Group in the Netherlands, for delivery in 2022. No price has been revealed.
Stolt's 135-metre-long design comes with a hydrodynamically optimised hull.
It will be powered by three electric motors, which are fed by highly efficient diesel generators with exhaust gas treatment capability.
The ship is equipped with ten stainless steel tanks and three separate loading systems.
Lucas Vos, president of Stolt Tankers, said the "exciting" partnership with BASF supports the company's commitment to working with other industry leaders to develop new technologies and ship designs for a greener maritime industry.
"We have a long history of working closely with customers to create solutions that help them adapt in a constantly changing environment and this project showcases our team's unrivalled experience, gained over 60 years, in building the most innovative ships in the market," he added.
The company experienced low water levels in 2018 and believes such events may occur more frequently in the future.
