The Port of Hamburg announced the successful launch of HAMBURG PILOT 3, soon to be delivered, and the start of HAMBURG PILOT 4’s construction at Estonia’s Baltic Workboats AS.
Both vessels will replace the existing pilot vessels LOTSE 3 and LOTSE 4, further strengthening the environmentally friendly modernisation of the Hamburg fleet.
The two vessels are so-called type ships, which are strongly based on globally proven pilot vessels.
In contrast to the last five newbuildings of the fleet, they are deliberately not equipped with a battery-electric hybrid propulsion system, as this is less suitable for the very specific operating profiles of pilot transfer services.
Instead, both vessels are designed to switch to climate-neutral e-fuels as soon as possible.
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The laying of the keel marks the official start of construction. Traditionally, a ‘good luck charm’ in the form of a €2 coin depicting Hamburg’s Michel church was attached to the keel.
The ceremony was performed by future crew members Christian Schwieger and Dirk Lange.
Delivery of the HAMBURG PILOT 4 is scheduled for later this year.
Earlier this month, the Port of Hamburg announced that C. Steinweg (Süd-West Terminal) will integrate a fully electric reachstacker from SANY MARINE into its operations as part of its decarbonisation efforts.
