PACCAR MX-13 Engines Power Revolutionary Vessel

From the outside, the profound revolution is barely noticeable. But the brand-new Mannheim 
I and II is anything but a conventional inland vessel. In the engine room lies a revolutionary 
state-of-the-art diesel-electric propulsion system, powered by five PACCAR MX-13 engines. 
DAF Components supplied these power sources.

Thanks to these 530 hp engines, built by DAF in Eindhoven, the total 200-meter-long 
coupled vessel (the Mannheim I as the main ship, the Mannheim II as the pusher barge) is 
approximately 30% more fuel-efficient and has five times lower NOx emissions than any 
comparable conventional Stage V vessel. Additionally, the powertrain ensures that the
Rhenus Mannheim is significantly quieter and much more comfortable. The vessel is 
deployed by Rhenus Partnership - part of the German logistics giant Rhenus Group - for 
transport between the Ruhr area in Germany, Antwerp and Rotterdam.

Setting New Standards
Inland vessels are designed to last around 60 to 80 years. That’s why owner Rhenus - a 
logistics company also active in road and rail transport – opted for the construction of a socalled coupled vessel with a propulsion system not only sets new standards in sustainability 
today, but is also equipped to adapt to future technological developments.

Innovative Diesel-Electric Powertrain
The idea to use a diesel-electric powertrain originated from Rhenus. For the implementation, 
NPS Driven dealer Vink Diesel was commissioned. The family-owned company from 
Sliedrecht was tasked with equipping the Mannheim with five modularly connected PACCAR 
MX-13 engines, each integrated into its own generator set.

The powertrain delivers a maximum output of 2,650 hp (1,946 kW). A sophisticated power 
management system determines how many engines run at a given time and at what output. 
The generated electricity powers two electric motors, each driving a separate propeller of the 
massive coupled vessel. A battery and an added hydrogen power source even make it 
possible to maneuver electrically – and therefore emission-free – in ports. During passage 
through cities along the Rhine, the Rhenus Mannheim can even sail short distances without 
emissions.

More Efficient, Cleaner, Quieter
“This solution truly offers significant benefits,” says Peter van der Heijden, Director of NPS 
Driven, DAF non-road distributor. “Fuel consumption is reduced by 30%, resulting in 
proportionally lower CO₂ emissions. Since Rhenus opted for HVO as fuel, the CO₂ emissions 
can be reduced by an additional 90%. Moreover, the PACCAR MX-13 engines emit five 
times less NOx than the cleanest marine engines currently on the market. They are also 
significantly quieter, enhancing crew comfort.”

Revolutionary Powertrain
“For such a revolutionary propulsion system, we searched for the most efficient and cleanest 
power source available. The PACCAR MX-13 engine supplied by DAF turned out to be the 
best solution in every respect,” says Robert Graf-Potthoff, Technical Inspector at Rhenus. “A
major advantage of the diesel-electric solution is its modular design. This allows us to 
practically test the Mannheim’s electric motors using a small fuel cell.”

Low Maintenance, High Availability
The fact that the PACCAR MX-13 engines require significantly less maintenance than 
conventional marine engines also increases the vessel’s operational availability, says GrafPotthoff. “Moreover, maintenance on the five power units can generally be performed by any 
DAF dealer. With 1,100 DAF service locations across Europe, there’s always a technician 
nearby. This further boosts the efficiency of the Mannheim I and II.”

Collaboration as the Key to Success
It is remarkable to see how this sustainable solution came to life through the close 
collaboration between all parties involved. Rhenus, NPS Driven, Vink diesel, and DAF 
combined their strengths, each contributing their expertise, vision, and dedication. This close 
partnership made it possible to successfully implement the innovative powertrain. The project 
demonstrates how joint efforts can lead to tangible and future-proof results. This forwardthinking propulsion technology represents a significant step toward a cleaner and quieter 
inland shipping industry.