This is the sixth newbuilding and the third such ship for the company’s fleet since 1999, when it was integrated into the Hegemann Group. Hegemann owns Germany’s Peene Werft in Wolgast and Roland Werft in Berne and has also just acquired the big Stralsund shipyard Volkswerft from Denmark’s A.P.Moller.

Poseidon, named in Treptow Harbour by Germany’s maritime coordinator, Economics and Technology Ministry State Secretary Dagmar Wöhl, is built for flexible operation. With a fixed height of 3.2 m, a side height of just 1.8m and a draught of 1m, it has the optimal dimensions for Berlin’s narrow waterways and low bridges.

Capable of 16 kms an hour, Poseidon boasts electric cabriolet style roofing over outside and inside seating areas, air conditioning and a completely equipped kitchen and buffet area.

Berlin waterways can be crowded. A million passengers sailed on them last year and the figure is rising all the time. Poseidon has been designed and built specifically by Stern und Kreisschiffahrt, Berlin’s biggest shipping line, for charter and to meet this increasing demand.

The vessel has a Kalkmann Beta Silent 50 E, 37 kW electric bow thruster, while stern propulsion comprises a 200 kW output Deutz Marine Diesel Type 6M 1O15 M main engine, operating at 1,800 rpm. Deutz has also supplied the diesel electric generator Type BF 6M 1013 E of 128 kW/Mecc Alte 150 KVA. Poseidon also boasts a Schottel SRP 110 Rudderpropeller.

By Tom Todd