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Ludwigshafen (dpa / lrs) - The BASF Group wants to be equipped with a tanker with a shallow draft from the end of 2022 against low water in the Rhine.
The chemical company announced on Thursday in Ludwigshafen that the contracts for the construction and use of the ship had been signed.
BASF transports 40 percent of the goods at its main plant in Rhineland-Palatinate by ship.
In the past, a low water level led to a temporary production stop.
BASF itself took the initiative because a corresponding ship is not available on the market, explained plant manager Uwe Liebelt.
According to the company, the dimensions of 135 meters by 17.5 meters are significantly larger than those of conventional tankers on the Rhine.
The lightweight ship has a "hydrodynamically optimized" hull as well as three electric motors and ten stainless steel tanks.
At medium low tide, the transport capacity of around 2500 tons is twice as high as that of conventional inland waterways.
“We expect that we will set a new standard for the transport of liquid goods on the Rhine with our new tanker design,” said a spokeswoman.
It is conceivable that further ships of this type will follow either as replicas under license from BASF or as own further developments by the shipping company.
The chemical company gave no information about the costs.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210121-99-116995 / 2
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