Texelstroom Wins 2017 Shippax Ferry Award
The Dutch hybrid CNG-electric passenger ferry Texelstroom has won the prestigious 2017 Shippax Award. The vessel marks the successful collaboration between owners TESO, C-Job Naval Architects and Vripack. Bristling with numerous examples of environmentally friendly technologies, the 135m vessel, built at Spanish shipyard LaNaval, represents a major step forward in sustainable ferry design.
“We are very proud to have been presented with this award,” says TESO Project Manager Bert de Jonge. “The main requirements with the Texelstroom project were to design a ‘green’ ferry within the existing docking dimensions and yet to be able to carry more cars.” While C-Job’s design maintains the specified dimensions, it also has increased car carrying capacity in line with expected future tourism levels on the island of Texel.
Designing a more environmentally friendly ferry involved diverse green technologies and innovations, Mr De Jonge continues. “From the CNG propulsion, to the 400 solar panels and the use of ‘peak shaving’ batteries,” he says. “To the LED lighting, water recycling and heat recovery systems, C-Job took on this broad scope to assist us every step of the way. They have addressed every single one of the required design parameters – all in one ship. And the Shippax award is a recognition of that. It is an example of how to build future ships.”
Responsible for the Texelstroom’s interior and exterior design was designer studio Vripack. The finished vessel shows that, as well as being a ‘next generation’ sustainable ferry, the Texelstroom also has a sharp focus on passenger experience. “On the one hand, the Texelstroom takes in the needs of the passenger. Their visit to Texel begins when they step on board,” notes Vripack Department Manager Jeroen Droogsma. “And on the other hand, the vessel captures the soul of the island of Texel. For example, the colour scheme takes inspiration from Texel’s various landscapes such as heather moorland and the contrasting colours of wet and dry sand. This unique approach has led to the completion of a unique vessel.”
As the Texelstroom’s naval architect, C-Job was involved with this project from day one. “From the start of the project we have had very close cooperation with TESO to fully understand their ideas and specific needs,” comments C-Job Project Manager Jelle Grijpstra. “And as the project progressed our role developed further to become systems integrator. This cooperation with all the participating parties created the synergy that is now embodied by this award-winning vessel.” With the forthcoming Marine Propulsion Awards taking place on 25 April in Amsterdam, there is a possibility that the Texelstroom is bestowed another award. “The vessel has been nominated for Ship of the Year,” says Mr Grijpstra. “This itself is a great honour and we are looking forward to the award ceremony with excitement.”