HGK Dry Shipping and ADM sign charter agreement for ground-breaking dry cargo vessel

Duisburg / Munich. HGK Dry Shipping is constructing an extremely modern inland waterway vessel for ADM, one of the world's leading nutrition and agriculture corporate groups. ADM and HGK Dry Shipping signed the relevant charter agreement during the ‘transport logistic’ trade fair in Munich on 10 May 2023. Optimised to operate in shallow waters with a diesel-electric propulsion system and solar panels, the new construction marks the next stage of development in dry cargo shipping on European waterways. With this barge, HGK Shipping is continuing to pursue its strategic programme of new vessels to provide innovative and sustainable inland waterway shipping and is extending this from tanker shipping to the bulk commodity sector.

Thanks to its diesel-electric drive system, the new dry cargo inland waterway vessel can save approximative 30 percent in CO2 emissions compared to current benchmarks. The solar panels, which are attached to hatchways, generate up to 90 MWh of electricity and can therefore reduce the CO2 emissions by as much as an extra 70 tonnes per year. This ship is also designed to be “future-fuel-ready”, like all the new vessels made for HGK Shipping, and it is therefore equipped to use future fuels and drive technologies such as hydrogen, as soon as they can be used on a wide scale.

The optimisation of the bulk commodity cargo vessel to operate in shallow waters is a crucial factor for ADM’s transport routes to Germany in order to guarantee the continuous movement of goods on the river Rhine, even if water levels are low.

"Chartering this new diesel-electric barge is part of our company's long-standing commitment to promote sustainable practices throughout its supply chain to protect the world's natural resources and build resilient systems. At ADM, we are committed to reducing our CO2 emissions. As a result, we are always looking for solutions that will allow us to transport goods along our supply chain in a more sustainable manner. Our commitment to charter the new diesel-electric vessel on a long-term basis after construction is another important step by ADM towards a more sustainable future," says Nick Smith, Vice President EMEA Refined Oils and Biodiesel, ADM.

The advanced design is once again being developed by the experts at the HGK Shipping Design Center in conjunction with the customer. This will ensure that the vessel meets the socio-political requirements and the needs of industry for decarbonisation and reliable supplies to the same extent.