A joint naming ceremony of two Damen Shipyard dry cargo newbuilds for operator Fast Lines Belgium took place in the Port of Antwerp.
The twins built to the yard's Combi Freighter (CF) 3850 design are the first newbuilds to enter the company’s fleet and will be joined by a third CF 3850 later this year.
Attending the ceremony were personnel from Fast Lines in Belgium, the UK, Ireland (Bel-Air Service of Antwerp-Drogheda Port), and Poland, together with representatives of Damen and Fast’s clients and suppliers.
More than 200 guests gathered at the Royal Yacht Club Antwerp on the left bank of the River Scheldt to mark the occasion. Here, they watched a livestream of the naming taking place on the opposite bank at Fast Lines Belgium’s premises.
Instead of the usual bottle of champagne, the vessels received their names with locally brewed Seef beer—a modern take on an Antwerp beer tradition dating back to the sixteenth century.
The vessels were named Fast Olivia and Fast Anna Sofia after Fast family members. Both of the vessels received their names from the respective family members, Olivia Scheers and Anna Sofia Scheers. For Olivia, becoming a ship’s godmother was a double celebration that coincided with her fifteenth birthday.
Fast’s third CF 3850 was also named Fast Gilles recently. On this occasion, Gilles Scheers served as the vessel’s godfather. Following the naming of the first two vessels, guests in Antwerp were able to view a video of the naming during the launch of the vessel at Damen Yichang Shipyard in China.
Damen’s CF 3850 is a renowned cargo vessel, of which the company has sold more than 50 units in just five years. The vessel is designed for flexible cargo versatility and optimal efficiency. In addition to its fuel-efficient profile, the design is prepared for a range of additional options to further reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
