At Royal Wagenborg, The maritime industry witnessed a significant milestone today with the successful launch of the m.v. Alexia at the Royal Niestern Sander shipyard. This new vessel marks the fourth installment in Wagenborg’s acclaimed EasyMax series, renowned for its innovative approach to energy efficiency. The m.v. Alexia follows in the wake of its award-winning predecessors, the Egbert Wagenborg, Máxima, and Amalia, but with even more impressive sustainability credentials.
The launch was not just an industrial achievement but also a moment of celebration, underscored by a unique christening ceremony that added a modern twist to maritime traditions. Her Majesty Queen Máxima christened the vessel during Delfsail, a maritime festival, in a way that has never been done before—via drone. In front of a crowd of 2,000 employees and guests, Queen Máxima pressed a button, sending a drone flying a mile to the shipyard where it performed the world’s first name-giving and christening ceremony by drone. This innovative approach to the event mirrored the forward-thinking nature of the vessel itself.
Given the magnitude of the occasion, the event was live-streamed, allowing viewers worldwide to share in the excitement. Family members, friends, colleagues, and industry partners tuned in to watch the m.v. Alexia take to the water for the first time, signaling a new era in sustainable shipping.
But what makes the m.v. Alexia truly remarkable is its design and environmental impact. Boasting a cargo capacity of over 14,000 tonnes and a hold capacity of 625,000 cubic feet, the vessel maintains a substantial size without compromising efficiency. Its installed power is below 3,000 kW, resulting in extraordinarily low fuel consumption. The ship’s design contributes to its excellent seakeeping performance, enhancing both safety and fuel efficiency.
The real achievement, however, lies in the vessel’s carbon footprint. The EasyMax 4 has achieved a reduction of over 60% in CO2 emissions compared to other vessels in its class. This accomplishment has earned the m.v. Alexia an undisputed Carbon Intensity Index (CII) A-rating, placing it at the forefront of sustainable maritime operations.
As the m.v. Alexia undergoes final commissioning and prepares for sea trials later this year, the shipping world watches closely. The vessel is expected to be delivered to Wagenborg by the end of the third quarter of 2024, marking a significant step forward in the global effort to reduce the environmental impact of maritime logistics.
