The refurbishment of the powder tanker Manu Forti has been successfully completed. Following an extensive modernization, the vessel is now among the cleanest and most advanced powder tankers operating on Europe’s inland waterways.
The former 2004 Cummins main engine has been replaced by a new Stage V M.A.N. main engine rated at 735 kW (1,000 hp). This engine combines a low weight with excellent fuel efficiency and an exceptionally compact exhaust aftertreatment system. With particulate matter emissions of just 0.0067 g/kWh and NOx emissions of 1.8 g/kWh, combined with a fuel consumption of 195 g/kWh, the new propulsion system delivers significant environmental benefits. In addition, the installation is approximately 10% more fuel-efficient than the previous engine, resulting in a further reduction in CO₂ emissions.
The engine was supplied by Vink Diesel of Sliedrecht, together with a new Masson 5200 gearbox coupling supplied by ADS van Stigt of Hardinxveld. The complete installation was expertly carried out by Asto Shipyard in Raamsdonksveer.
The vessel’s navigation system has also been completely modernized. Dutch Marine Technology of Alblasserdam carried out the upgrade of the wheelhouse, installing, among other things, a new autopilot, six cameras, a GPS compass, radar, a new engine control system, engine monitoring and data display, and a modern echo sounder.
All systems are integrated with Shipping Technology’s BRAIN platform. This platform collects and processes all relevant vessel data and presents it in a clear dashboard. In addition, the vessel is equipped with Autonomous Lane Assist (ALA), enabling partially autonomous navigation under the supervision of the captain. This not only enhances operating comfort but also contributes to more efficient sailing and further fuel savings.
The dashboard allows emissions reports and other operational data to be generated easily for both the shore-based organization and customers. It also enables vessel movements to be monitored and analyzed, both in real time and retrospectively.
Thanks to the modernization of both the propulsion system and the wheelhouse, combined with the installation of a Stage V generator, Manu Forti has been awarded the Green Award Gold Certificate.
With these investments, Manu Forti is ready for the future. The vessel ranks among the cleanest and most advanced powder tankers on Europe’s inland waterways and is fully equipped to provide sustainable, reliable and efficient transportation of powdered cargoes for Binnenloyd, a partner in total logistics solutions for powdered materials.
