Partner Shipyard from Szczecin handed over to the contractor a partially equipped hull of a vessel for transporting heavy and bulky cargo.

The hull of the Southern Rock vessel of the R3 project was towed from the Fantowe quay at the premises of Paper Factory Szczecin Skolwin, which is one of the two quays occupied by Partner Shipyard, to the Netherlands. The final recipient is the Hartman Marine Shipbuilding (HMS) shipyard, for which subcontractors - Partner Shipyard and Neptune Shipyards - are building the vessel.

Work on the partially outfitted Southern Rock hull began in Szczecin in October 2022, and the keel was laid on November 20. Launching took place on February 1. The hull was towed from the wharf of the Szczecin shipyard by tugboat En Avant 1 on February 13, ten days later it was delivered to the Netherlands. Ultimately, the ship is intended for the needs of Hartman Seatrade, a company belonging to the same group as Hartman Marine Shipbuilding. However, before it reaches the customer, Southern Rock will be equipped in the Netherlands with, among others: the main engine and other equipment of the engine room, ballast water treatment system, electronic and navigation equipment, hatches and a crane. All work is to be completed within three months.

Southern Rock is a ro-ro ship with an open cargo deck. The ship is 114.25 m long and 14 m wide, and has a load capacity of 4,540 tons and a capacity of 3,636 tons. Vessels of this type are used to transport all kinds of wheeled equipment, including cars and trucks, military vehicles, construction machinery, cranes and cranes. These ships can also transport heavy and bulky loads, such as elements of industrial installations, yachts and boats, as well as parts for wind energy. Southern Rock will be the largest ship in the customer's fleet when delivered.

Southern Rock is also the third project of this type carried out by Partner Shipyard from Szczecin. The first ship - Celtic - was handed over to the shipowner Hartman Seatrade at the end of 2021, the next - Adriatic - was received by Global Seatrade in 2022. All these orders were carried out for the needs of companies from the same Hartman Marine Group.