Port of Zeebrugge deploys estuary barge Polybotes
Waterways 2, the estuary barge for new cars, was bought by the Zeebrugge Port Authority (MBZ) and specifically rebuilt for the transportation of high and heavy loads. The ship has been baptized into Polybotes, referring to the Greek giant. The Polybotes is multi usable for new cars, containers and high and heavy cargoes, said in the company's press release.
Polybotes is owned by the Zeebrugge Port Authority (MBZ), which bought the vessel from Cobelfret. PortConnect, daughter company of MBZ, is responsible for operations. The ship is to support the hinterland logistics of the port of Zeebrugge, more specifically for roro and high and heavy cargoes.
Two car decks were removed from the Waterways, in order to load oversized cargoes to a better extent. The top deck can also accommodate container loads. With the ship Port of Zeebrugge aims, on the one hand, at linking much better the terminals in the outer and inner port, and on the other hand, linking the coastal port with the hinterland, i.e. Antwerp to the Rhine.
Polybotes measures 110 meters in length and 12.5 meters in width. The vessel can load up to 2,200 tonnes. The vessel can load 160 new cars and 144 teu, or 240 new cars. The vessel also has a deck of 80 over 11 meters for high and heavy cargoes.
PortConnect already charters the estuary barges Tripoli and Deseo and the inland barge Were Di. The Polybotes will become operational as from Monday 29 July.
“Port of Zeebrugge handles annually more than 12 million tonnes of roro cargoes. The high and heavy loads such as machines and agricultural machinery are out of standard cargoes and comprise undivisible parts. This exceptional transport does no longer have to use the road. With Polybotes we can offer a specially adapted ship to meet the specific needs of this market”, states Joachim Coens, CEO of Port of Zeebrugge.
