A new hybrid patrol vessel has entered into service last week at the Port of Rotterdam. The new 25-meter vessel, the RPA 8, can run on both diesel and diesel-electric, and causes less vessel wake and is much more efficient than other Port Authority vessels.
RPA 8 was built by Kooiman Group in Zwijndrecht to replace the RPA 3, which had reached the end of its technical and economic service life.
RPA 8 uses considerably less fuel, while the hybrid propulsion system enables efficient patrolling at low speeds and reduces the number of hours the diesel engines need to run at low load operation.
“Commissioning this vessel is in keeping with the policy of stimulating sustainable sailing and setting an example as Port Authority,” said (State) Harbor Master René de Vries, who is in charge of a fleet of patrol vessels that help ensure safe, smooth, sustainable and secure handling of shipping at Europe's largest port.
This is the first time since 2010 that the harbor master has put a new vessel into operation.
Many innovations on board the RPA 8 will also be used on the vessels RPA 13, RPA 12, RPA 11, RPA 10 and RPA 16. RPA 11 and 12 will also be hybrid vessels.