VESSEL REVIEW | POA 1 & POA 2 – Hybrid patrol boats to serve Belgium’s Port of Antwerp-Bruges

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium has begun operating two new patrol boats built by Netherlands-based the Kooiman Marine Group to a design by compatriot marine engineering firm Van Oossanen Naval Architects. Named POA 1 and POA 2, the newbuilds will be used for inspection and security duties to ensure the smooth flow of shipping traffic through the busy port.

Each vessel has an aluminium hull, a length of 25 metres, a beam of 5.4 metres, and a draught of 1.36 metres. The hybrid propulsion arrangement on each boat consists of a DNV-approved EST-Floattech 546kWh battery pack with shore charging capability, two 387kW diesel engines, two Helseth propellers, and a Hull Vane rear spoiler to increase buoyancy.

The boats can sail in diesel-only, hybrid, or full electric operating modes. Operation is possible for up to 2.5 hours at a cruising speed of 4.8 knots when in full electric mode, though a maximum speed of 19 knots can be achieved.

The engines also have diesel particulate filters, exhaust gas aftertreatment systems, and heat recovery capability, which can help keep the wheelhouse interior comfortable especially during winter. The batteries meanwhile have active and passive safety systems that also include an off-the-shelf AC unit used to dissipate any heat.

The boats each have three workstations, including one belowdeck compartment where interrogations can be performed discreetly. The workstations feature some of the same facilities found in the port authority's shore offices, allowing the crew to register their daily operations in real-time via a dedicated online portal called the port community information system.

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