From LNG To Hybrid: WILLEM DE VLAMINGH Upgraded for the Future
Over the past three months, Rederij Doeksen’s ferry WILLEM DE VLAMINGH underwent a major technical transformation. The vessel is now an LNG hybrid, thanks to the installation of a 900 kWh battery system.
This innovative refit, developed in-house by Doeksen’s own technical team, was carried out by Werft Shipbuilding (Urk) at Damen Shiprepair in Harlingen, with vital contributions from Piet Brouwer Elektrotechniek and VCU, both also based in Urk.
- Permanent magnet generators were installed on the crankshafts of the main engines to recover unused engine capacity and convert it into electricity.
- This power is stored in the new battery system and used for the onboard hotel load and bow thrusters.
- Two extra bow thrusters have been added, improving manoeuvrability in strong winds.
- Embarkation and disembarkation can now take place fully electrically and emission-free.
- The battery system is charged overnight with shore power, reducing LNG consumption — and paving the way for even lower emissions as shore power availability increases.
Sister ship WILLEM BARENTSZ is scheduled for the same upgrade in early 2026.
“Using crankshaft-mounted generators on gas engines like this hasn’t been done anywhere else in the world,” says Jitze Landman, senior fleet inspector. “It’s a small technical revolution.”
