Port of Hamburg proceeds with fleet modernization

Last week, the Hamburg fleet celebrated two significant milestones in Estonia. The new pilot transfer vessel, HAMBURG PILOT 3, was successfully launched and is now ready for delivery.

Simultaneously, construction began on the HAMBURG PILOT 4 at the Estonian shipyard Baltic Workboats AS. These vessels will replace the existing pilot boats LOTSE 3 and LOTSE 4, further advancing the environmentally friendly modernization of the Hamburg fleet.

Both vessels are classified as type ships, modelled closely on proven designs for pilot vessels worldwide. Unlike the fleet’s last five newbuilds, these vessels will not feature a battery-electric hybrid propulsion system, as such systems are less suited to the unique requirements of pilot transfer operations. Instead, they are engineered to transition to climate-neutral e-fuels as soon as the technology becomes viable.

The keel-laying ceremony, which traditionally marks the official start of construction, included the attachment of a €2 coin depicting Hamburg’s iconic Michel church as a good luck charm. This tradition was carried out by future crew members Christian Schwieger and Dirk Lange.

The HAMBURG PILOT 4 is expected to be delivered later this year.

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