Baltic Shipping Company A/S has welcomed two new vessels, M/V Baltic Iron and M/V Baltic Timber, to its fleet.
The next-generation coasters combine wind-assisted propulsion with battery technology, as shipowners continue exploring practical decarbonisation options for shortsea trades.
Both 3,550 deadweight-tonnage (DWT) vessels are fitted with two Econowind VentoFoils, expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 12 per cent, alongside large battery packs that make them genuine hybrid ships.
M/V Baltic Timber entered service first, followed by sister vessel M/V Baltic Iron, with both now in commercial operation under the company’s management.
The addition allows Baltic Shipping Company to offer customers a new generation of more energy-efficient coaster capacity, responding to mounting pressure across the shipping industry to reduce transport-related CO2 emissions.
Ronnie Hulstrøm, CEO of Baltic Shipping Company A/S, said: “We are very proud to welcome Baltic Iron and Baltic Timber to our fleet. Having recently visited Baltic Iron, I am deeply impressed by both the vessel and the technology installed on board. The combination of VentoFoils and a large battery pack represents an important step towards more energy-efficient shipping. It demonstrates what can already be achieved with technologies available today.”
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The VentoFoils generate additional thrust from wind, cutting the power required from the main engine and lowering both fuel consumption and emissions. Paired with battery technology, the system offers a practical, currently available route to improving energy efficiency, an approach gaining traction across the shortsea and coaster segment as owners weigh newbuild investment against tightening environmental regulation.
Hulstrøm added: “Our customers are increasingly focused on reducing the CO2 emissions associated with their transport. With Baltic Iron and Baltic Timber, we can offer them modern coaster capacity that supports these ambitions. It is a practical step that supports both our customers and our long-term commitment to more sustainable shipping operations.”
For more information:
Baltic Shipping Company A/S – https://balticshipping.dk/
