Livestock Express

Next-generation revolutionary vessels

• Hull design and COMFORT rating

  The wave-piercing bow design ensures maximum comfort for both livestock and crew, whilst maintaining high speeds. With this unique design, Livestock Express was able to obtain a COMFORT-rating for its vessels; a notation acknowledging the level of comfort on a ship (i.e. vibration/noise/motion) that was previously only awarded to cruise liners.

• Cargo-hold design

  Optimal pen arrangements, based on our 50 years of experience in the transportation of livestock, guarantee smooth loading and discharging. The implementation of longer rather than deeper pens provides all livestock easy and constant access to water and fodder.
• Power redundancy and monitoring systems

  Increased generator capacity ensures our vessels have more power redundancy than any other livestock vessels in the market, ensuring livestock services remain fully operational in the event of any mechanical failure. Advanced monitoring and alarm systems are in place for all critical equipment, such as the desalination-plants (i.e. salinity alarms that ensure non-compliant fresh water is automatically pumped to a separate tank) and ventilation (i.e. a fan failure is reported and any reduction in ventilation power is automatically compensated by other fans until the matter is resolved). Closed-circuit television is in place in the cargo holds, providing the crew with an additional tool to monitor the livestock.

• 

  Ducted ventilation

  A ducted ventilation system focussing on air delivery, rather than air flow alone, provides each individual pen with fresh air that is directed to the skin surface where most heat is generated from the livestock. Ducted ventilation is scientifically proven to make better use of the air’s capacity to remove heat, water vapour, moisture and noxious gases. Our ventilation system is considered best in class, exceeding Australia’s world-leading regulatory requirements for air flow and air changes, while at the same time significantly reducing noise levels in the holds.

History

Livestock Express throughout the years

• 

  1964

  Vroon begins livestock activities following the conversion of MV David from coaster into livestock carrier. On 18 February, the first voyage took place with a cargo of 60 cows and 237 sheep. On 3 July, the 100th voyage to Ostend was celebrated.

• 1969-1973

  Livestock fleet expanded with acquisition and conversion of a number of vessels.
• 1975-1977

  Four additional livestock carriers joined the fleet, bringing to 25 the total number of vessels in the Vroon Group fleet.

• 1982

  Two new vessels were built at English shipyard James Cook & Co, Buffalo Express and Zebu Express. A third vessel was acquired, converted into Vroon’s first sheep carrier and named Corriedale Express.
• 1989

  Mediterranean Highway – a car carrier – was purchased, converted into a sheep carrier at Meyer Werft, Papenburg and renamed Cormo Express.

• 

  1995-2002

  Four cattle carriers built for Vroon at the Van Diepen Shipyard - Bison Express, Devon Express, Shorthorn Express and Brahman Express.
• 2004

  Twelve cattle carriers were acquired and underwent extensive upgrading. The Vroon Group fleet now totalled 50 vessels.

• 

  2008

  Expansion of the fleet continued with acquisition of Angus Express.
• 

  2009

  Vroon’s only dedicated sheep carrier, Merino Express, was divested and, after a period of more than 30 years, the company’s involvement in the transportation of sheep came to an end.

• 2011

  During 2011 newbuilding orders were placed for four livestock carriers at Cosco Guangdong Shipyard in China.
• 

  2013

  Two new livestock carriers were taken into service, Galloway Express and Ganado Express. Australia marketing and chartering organisation relocated to Singapore.

• 

  2014

  Holstein Express was acquired. Gelbray Express and Girolando Express were delivered. Three further G-class vessels ordered for delivery in 2015 and 2016. Start of Leaders in Safety programme
• 

  2021 & beyond

  Following the sale of Holstein Express the entire fleet consists of purpose-built vessels only. Livestock Express engages in providing vessel management services to third-party owned vessels.