Vloot, part of the agentschap Maritieme Dienstverlening en Kust (MDK)/Maritime Services and Coast (MDK) agency, announce the commissioning of a new state-of-the-art pilot boat to replace its aging vessels, Pilot Boat 1 and Pilot Boat 7.
The Vlaamse Regering / Government of Flanders has approved an investment for the construction of a brand new pilot boat for the North Sea. This innovative and sustainable vessel is the important first step in their strategy to strengthen the nautical chain and modernise their pilotage fleet.
“ For Vloot, part of the MDK agency, this new type of ship represents a new important milestone in the greening strategy that we as a government shipping company have been working on for several years. In line with the environmental objectives for 2030, the vessel will be equipped with an innovative diesel-electric propulsion with hybrid functionality. This system minimizes emissions and can later be modified to use the more climate-friendly methanol as fuel,” says Tim Van Dijck, director of Vloot.
The vessel will be approximately 80 metres long and approximately 13 metres wide. Thanks to advanced stability systems and a powerful design, the ship can operate safely in wave heights of up to 3.5 metres. There will be room for 20 crew members and 10 pilots on board. In addition to pilotage, it can also be deployed in the event of serious incidents on the North Sea. It can then serve as an emergency and coordination platform to, for example, receive evacuees or injured people and to coordinate the incident on the water.
The construction of this new pilot boat is crucial for the improvement of our operations. It offers us the opportunity to optimize our services and to better respond to the needs of the shipping industry,” explains Roel Schippers, Director of Pilotage.
The pilot boat will feature modern and comfortable accommodation. Spacious cabins with private bathrooms, ergonomic beds, extensive connectivity options, various relaxation areas and a fitness room. The work areas will be designed with maximum focus on ergonomics and intuitive controls. The technical installations reflect the most advanced standards in shipbuilding. From energy-efficient kitchen appliances to maintenance-friendly materials, every aspect has been designed with the future in mind. The ship is equipped to continue to respond flexibly to technological developments and changing operational requirements. Building such a large ship takes time and Vloot expects to put the new pilot boat into service in 2028
