Germany: BBC Chartering Set to Offer Greener Sea Transports

Leading German multipurpose & heavy lift operator BBC Chartering announces to cooperate with the Hamburg-based company SkySails. The background is the recently acquired multipurpose vessel ‘BBC SkySails’ that can offer charter clients the possibility for ‘greener’ sea transports.

The 9,821 dwt vessel is fitted with the latest prototype of the SkySails auxiliary wind propulsion system. The system uses a kite with a surface measuring 320sqm which can deliver an engine load relief of up to 2,000 kW at favorable wind conditions.

“There are many technological developments underway that have the potential to innovate and influence the future of shipping.” says Svend Andersen, Managing Director of BBC Chartering and continues “By adding ‘BBC SkySails’ to our fleet we can offer an innovative service that allows to measurably reducing emissions and hence credibly and visibly supports a charter client’s corporate sustainability strategy.”

Besides fostering ‘green shipping’ awareness, the company reports that the cooperation also follows the goal to further probe and improve the practical application of the towing kite system on board.

Stephan Wrage, CEO of SkySails says, “The SkySails propulsion system as cutting edge technology offers cargo owners and shippers the possibility to share into our joint responsibility for green actions.”

The company says it notices high attention from single market participants, but also from industry associations that like to take leadership roles in strengthening green awareness and call for responsible actions amongst peers. “We look forward to develop such ideas together with BBC Chartering and other interested parties,” states Mr. Wrage. “Interested cargo owners and shippers are welcome to contact us and make use of a vessel visiting opportunity,” adds Niels Finn, Key Account Manager at SkySails.

About BBC Chartering – BBC commenced operations in 1997 with a fleet of ten multipurpose vessels. With currently more than 140 vessels being marketed by BBC Chartering the company operates the single largest multipurpose and heavy lift fleet in the market with lifting capacities reaching up to 800mt and vessel sizes that range from 3,500 to 37,300dwat.

A network of 25 sales and chartering offices and about 300 employees assist local and global clients around the world in planning and executing their transport assignments. BBC Chartering serves leading clients, e.g. in the oil & gas, power and utility, offshore contracting, chemical processing, mechanical engineering industry via tramp, affreightment and liner services.

About SkySails – The Hamburg-based company SkySails GmbH is the market and technology leader for automated towing kite systems. Targeting the merchant fleet, the SkySails system can be installed as auxiliary wind propulsion system on most types of existing and new build cargo ships.

The company was established in 2001 and today employs about 80 people in their facilities in Hamburg and Wismar. Lead investors are the ship financing company Jan Luiken Oltmann Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG, the marine engine supplier Zeppelin Power Systems GmbH & Co. KG and the Dutch Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company Royal DSM N.V. Besides private investors and family offices, the group of SkySails investors also includes numerous notable shipping companies.

Some 50 million euros have been invested in developing the SkySails technology and establishing the manufacturing capability.

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Source: BBC Chartering, October 23, 2011