Wärtsilä has secured a contract to deliver a fully integrated hybrid propulsion solution for four new 10,700 DWT geared tween decker vessels being constructed for Dutch ship owner and maritime services provider Vertom Group.
The deal, booked in the first quarter of 2025, supports Vertom’s fleet renewal strategy and commitment to sustainable shipping.
The vessels will be equipped with the Wärtsilä 25 medium-speed 4-stroke engine combined with a hybrid drive system featuring PTO/PTI/PTH functionality, allowing the ships to operate efficiently and sail in fully electric, zero-emission mode when required.
The solution is optimized for fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and flexible performance across various operating profiles, including Transatlantic routes.
Thomas van Meerkerk, Head of Business Development & Innovation at Vertom, highlighted that this design blends cutting-edge sustainability with economic viability, and Wärtsilä’s partnership has been instrumental to the project.
The system’s intelligence allows the ship to adjust automatically for optimal efficiency, factoring in variables like draught and sea state to balance fuel consumption and propulsion power seamlessly.
The ships are being built at Chowgule Shipyards in India and were designed by Groot Ship Design, based on Vertom’s original sustainability-driven vision.
The Wärtsilä systems are set for delivery to the shipyard in 2026, with vessel deliveries planned for 2027 and 2028.
Once completed, the ships will operate on the Europe Caribbean Line under a partnership between Vertom Group and Vertraco Shipping, serving a key trade corridor between Europe and the Caribbean.
