Robert Allan Ltd. has completed the design of two RApide 3000-Z2 pushboats for Brazilian operator Hermasa, with construction now under way.

The vessels are intended for grain transport operations in the Amazon region, particularly within the Madeira River system, and are designed for shallow-draft navigation. Robert Allan said each pushboat will be capable of moving up to 20 barges, with a combined cargo capacity of around 32,000 tonnes.

A key feature of the design is fuel flexibility. The pushboats are specified to operate on either B100 biodiesel or marine diesel oil, supporting Hermasa’s efforts to reduce emissions from inland transport operations.

Each vessel measures 30 metres in length overall, with a moulded breadth of 12 metres and a navigational draft of 2.3 metres, allowing operation throughout the wider Amazon River basin.

The vessels are designed in accordance with Brazilian Flag Rules (NORMAM-202) and will be classed by American Bureau of Shipping as inland navigating vessels under the notation ✠ A1 River Service, Towing Vessel, ✠ AMS.

Propulsion will be provided by two Kongsberg US155 P14 Z-drive units, each driven by a Wärtsilä 6L20 medium-speed engine rated at 1,150 kW. The engines are specified for operation on both B100 biodiesel and conventional marine diesel oil. The Z-drives are fully withdrawable afloat and fitted with 1,800 mm fixed-pitch propellers.

Electrical power will be supplied by two MWM diesel generator sets, providing redundancy for onboard systems. Accommodation is arranged for up to 10 crew members.

Robert Allan said the design was developed to balance high-capacity cargo movement with the operational constraints of shallow inland waterways, while incorporating fuel options aligned with lower-carbon transport objectives.