Belgian maritime innovator Zulu Associates has contracted Dutch firm Conoship International to advance the design of the Zulu Mass 200 teu shortsea container vessel.
The vessel concept, which received approval in principle from Lloyds Register, is planned to be initially operational with Anglo Belgian Shipping Company on Green Corridors between the European continent and the United Kingdom.
The Zulu Mass will be fully electrical and powered by modular energy containers provided by established energy storage companies using batteries and/or hydrogen-based power systems.
In addition to zero-emission propulsion, the vessel will be equipped with auxiliary wind propulsion with the feasibility of wave propulsion also set to be investigated. It will also be unmanned as a part of a Maritime Autonomy System, which will allow it to compete with fossil-fuelled vessels.
Belgium established a legal framework for unmanned vessel pilot projects in the North Sea in 2021. Recently, Belgium, the UK, and Denmark signed an agreement which eliminates the need for separate permit applications, greatly simplifying the regulatory process.
