ROYAL T SHIPYARDS LAUNCHES FIRST “ROYAL” LABRAX VESSEL: MV VERTOM TULA

The christening ceremony was made even more memorable by the presence of godmother Mrs. Tula Gonzaléz, who traveled all the way from South America with her family to name the vessel. Her international presence reflected the global spirit of maritime cooperation that Royal T Shipyards and Vertom Group embrace in every project.

Representing Vertom Group, Dirk de Jong, Technical Director said: “Since joining Vertom earlier this month, it’s been a remarkable start, witnessing and now contributing to such a meaningful milestone so early in my time here. The christening & launch of MV Vertom Tula highlights the strength of our partnerships and our shared commitment to innovation and sustainability. As a true piece of Dutch craftsmanship, this vessel was built through close collaboration between the shipyard, suppliers, and crew, reflecting Vertom’s ongoing dedication to quality, trust, and sustainable growth.”

The MV Vertom Tula offers exceptional cargo-handling capabilities and operational efficiency. Measuring 118.60 meters in length with a beam of 14.30 meters, and featuring a spacious full-box cargo hold of 329,700 cubic feet, the vessel stands out as a competitive solution for modern logistics. All of the nine 7,280 DWT vessels feature cutting-edge diesel-electric propulsion systems, a low-resistance hull, and a smart energy management system. These innovations enable significant fuel savings and emissions reductions, while ensuring the vessels are ready for a future powered by alternative zero-emission fuels. The MV Vertom Tula fully embodies this approach to sustainability and efficiency. The vessel is ready to transition to alternative zero-emission fuels in the near future.

The series reflects Royal T Shipyards’ long-standing commitment to modular construction, future-proof engineering, and emission-free operations; goals made possible by more than 15 years of experience with electric propulsion and over 200 vessels successfully delivered.

MV Vertom Tula will be completed in Kampen in the coming weeks and will head to the Royal T Shipyards facilities in Harlingen for sea trials and delivery in September.

The partnership between Royal T Shipyards and Vertom Group continues to be a driving force behind the new builds successes. The launch of MV Vertom Tula further strengthens their shared commitment to clean and efficient maritime logistics.

“This ship is not just steel and technology,” Thecla Bodewes said during the launch. “It is the result of craftsmanship, collaboration, and care. Every person involved, from welders, to engineers to project leaders, helped bring this vessel to life.”

The event was attended by shipyard employees, partners, and guests from across the maritime sector, all united in their commitment to building the future of shipping together.

Royal T Shipyards (formerly Thecla Bodewes Shipyards) is a seventh-generation, family-owned Dutch shipbuilder, internationally recognized for pioneering sustainable maritime technologies. Headquartered in Kampen, the shipyard specializes in tailor-made vessels for inland and short-sea shipping, dredging, and shallow water operations. Following the Royal designation in 2025, the company now continues under the name Royal T Shipyards, symbolizing its legacy of craftsmanship and its promise to build ships that matter.

Vertom Group, headquartered in Rhoon, the Netherlands, is a reliable and experienced maritime partner with more than 50 years of expertise in the Short Sea Shipping market. The company operates a modern fleet of over 100 vessels, ranging from 1,500 to 12,000 DWT, and offers flexible, tailor-made shipping solutions across Europe and beyond.

By closely monitoring market developments and integrating the latest technologies, Vertom continuously adapts to evolving customer needs. Its international network and broad in-house expertise allow the company to deliver high-quality services in shipping and trading, port agency, freight forwarding, tanker chartering, and liner services.