Today it entered into an agreement to purchase four fuel-efficient LR2 newbuildings from Chinese shipbuilder Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) with expected delivery in the period between the fourth quarter of 2017 and the second quarter of 2018. The agreement includes the option to purchase up to six additional vessels within the LR2, LR1 or MR segment with expected delivery in 2018 and 2019.
Torm expects to have a total CAPEX relating to the four firm vessels of approximately $200 million, including extra costs related to Torm’s design requirements and supervision. It says it is in advanced dialogue with potential lenders obtain financing for the newbuildings.
With today’s agreement, Torm has CAPEX commitments of $273 million, covering the remaining CAPEX on its remaining three MR newbuildings, one second-hand MR vessel and the four new LR2 vessels. Torm has a liquidity position of approximately $280 million including available debt facilities of $97 million.
Torm says it has utilized its long-term relationship with GSI and China State Shipbuilding Corporation to source today’s contract. Torm already has 16 GSI vessels in the current fleet and has good technical and commercial experience with them. The new vessels will be constructed according to Torm’s specifications in order to optimize trading.
ESL Shipping and Swedish steel company SSAB have signed a long-term frame agreement covering SSAB’s inbound raw material sea transports within the Baltic Sea and from the North Sea. The purpose of the agreement is to enable mutual, long-term gains in efficiency and to reduce overall logistics costs, while simultaneously making raw material logistics as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. At present, the aggregated sea transport volume covered by the agreement is estimated to be 6–7 million tons annually.
The two ice-class 1A ships being built as a result of the agreement will be the first LNG-fueled large bulk carriers in the world. CO2 emissions per ton of cargo transported will be reduced by more than 50% in comparison to present vessels.
“This new agreement is a solid example of SSAB’s sustainability strategy in action,” says Per Bondemark, Chief Procurement Officer at SSAB.
“ESL Shipping’s new customer agreement running for several years will secure growing freight volumes, and the new investments to be implemented will release old vessel stock for other transport needs. Besides their environmental benefits, the cost savings provided by the new technology will also allow better profitability,” says Aki Ojanen, Chairman of the Board of ESL Shipping and CEO of its parent Aspo Group.
The two new vessels will be built at the Qingshan Shipyard of Sinotrans & CSC SBICO in China and will start operating in the Baltic in early 2018. The total value of the investment is approximately EUR 60 million. The investment cash flow will be divided progressively between 2015 and 2018.
ESL Shipping has worked in close cooperation with Finnish designer Deltamarin on the ship design and the ships have been tailored to customer needs with special attention given to the efficiency of cargo handling and cargo hold arrangements.
Deltamarin has performed the full concept and contract design of the ships for ESL and has a contract with the shipbuilder covering basic and detail design, procurement handling and site assistance for the two vessels based on Deltamarin’s B.Delta26LNG design.
The LNG-fueled B.Delta26LNG bulk carrier is equipped with both dual-fuel main and auxiliary machinery. The ship has a type C LNG tank of approximately 400 cu.m capacity.
The B.Delta26LNG also exhibits very efficient operation in ice class conditions, far surpassing any other similar ships trading in such conditions. Extensive model tests have been performed for both open water, at SSPA in Sweden, and Ice Class 1A operations, at Aker Arctic Technology in Finland.
The vessels will be classified according to DNV GL rules.
The B.Delta26LNG has a shallow draft of max. 10 m, length overall of 160 m, breadth of 26 m and maximum capacity of 25,600 tonnes deadweight.
NOVEMBER 24, 2015 — Canadian shipbuilders are embroiled in a spat over the Resolve-Class AOR interim fleet oiler being created by Chantier Davie Canada Inc. by converting a 183 m containership to
Based on Metal Shark’s Defiant-class monohull pilothouse design, the welded aluminum vessel is designed to support port security efforts and firefighting missions at the port district, located 20 miles south of New Orleans at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
For this application, Metal Shark equipped the vessel with twin Cat C-18 diesel engines mated to Hamilton water jets. The 55 Defiant is also available with straight shaft inboards or pods.
To meet the customer’s fire fighting requirements, Metal Shark employed twin Darley fire pumps driven by PTO from the main engines. Water is pumped to an oversized main where it is distributed via electronic valves to three radio frequency-controlled monitors – one on the bow, and two mounted on the roof of the vessel. In this configuration, the 55 Defiant delivers water flow of up to 10,000 gallons per minute. Two 5″ hydrant outlet locations, an additional 2.5″ hydrant outlet, and a 300-gallon foam reservoir provide maximum flexibility across the widest possible range of tactical firefighting scenarios.
Metal Shark’s use of “pillarless” pilothouse glass gives the vessel’s roomy wheelhouse substantially increased visibility compared to pilothouses of conventional design.
With belowdecks quarters offering enclosed head, galley, and bunking capacity for a crew of four, the 55 Defiant is equipped to stay on station for extended periods and to accommodate crews during lengthy patrols.
A state of the art, positive-pressure Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) ventilation system provides crew protection in disaster response situations.
“Metal Shark has worked closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and the military to develop what we feel are the most advanced and crew friendly fire rescue patrol vessels available today,” says Metal Shark’s president Chris Allard. “It was an honor to be selected by the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District for this project and we are pleased to add them to the growing list of Metal Shark customers.”
A product of Metal Shark’s Franklin, LA, shipyard, the 55′ Defiant can be custom-configured to suit a wide range of mission profiles. Metal Shark offers the vessel with a wide range of power and propulsion systems to meet various performance requirements. Virtually every vessel feature can be adapted to suit the needs of individual customers and agencies.
In addition to port security and fire rescue, the 55 Defiant can be configured for dive support, law enforcement, defense, pilot operations, and numerous commercial markets.
Defiant-class vessels are available in a wide range of sizes for inshore, nearshore, and offshore patrol. Established in 1986, Gravois Aluminum Boats LLC, and its government/commercial boat entity Metal Shark Boats are leading suppliers of custom boats for defense, law enforcement, and commercial entities.
The total value of the order is $200 million. The first delivery is planned for the end of 2017 after which the vessels will be delivered at three month intervals.
The vessels are of the same type as ten chemical and product tankers ordered by Stena Bulk in 2012 from the same shipyard, the first four of which were delivered earlier this year.
All the IMOIIMAX tankers will be deployed in Stena Weco’s global logistic system, which currently employs more than 60 vessels.
“We are very satisfied with the performance of the IMOIIMAX tankers and are thus adding to this part of our fleet still further,” says Erik Hånell, CEO of Stena Bulk. “With their greater efficiency as regards fuel consumption and cargo, these vessels are also environmentally superior compared to many other vessels in their class, which, of course, is a major advantage. Commercially, they are a good complement to our fleet.
Four of the ten vessels ordered earlier – the Stena Impression, Stena Image, Stena Imperial and Stena Important – were delivered this year and the remaining six vessels will be delivered by 2017. One is wholly owned by Stena Bulk, six are owned together with GAR (Golden Agri Resources), two are owned by the sister company Concordia Maritime and one is wholly owned by Stena Weco.
The IMOIIMAX concept is a further development of a well-established and successful concept offering extra high cargo flexibility and even lower fuel consumption. Stena Teknik, together with the shipyard, which was formerly GSI (Guangzhou Shipyard International), was responsible for the technical development of the ships. The IMOIIMAX tankers have 18 tanks enabling them to transport both vegetable oils and chemicals such as petroleum products.
The two vessels are under construction at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), with options for another three, for Luxembourg-based CLdN (Cobelfret).
The 235 m long and 35 m wide vessels will be the world’s largest commercial RO/RO carriers. They have been ordered as part of CLdN’s fleet expansion and modernization program.They are expected to enter service in 2017 for deployment on CLdN’s regular service in Northern Europe.
The MacGregor RO/RO access equipment package for each ship will comprise a stern ramp, internal ramps, bulkhead doors and four levels of hoistable electrically-operated car decks. The gross weight of the equipment is about 2,200 tonnes per ship.
“We have a proven record of reliable deliveries and excellent support during the construction process,” says Karl-Axel Persson, Senior Sales Manager, MacGregor RO/RO. “In addition, our ability to give support during the project stage was a major factor in winning this important contract.
“MacGregor has a long and successful customer relationship with HMD. Following the delivery, MacGregor will continue to support CLdN, working with the owner to deliver the best possible lifecycle profitability,” he added.
The ship has been ordered from French shipbuilder Chantiers Piriou, based on a concept design issued by Marine Assistance (France) and is scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2017.
The 72 m polar logistics and patrol icebreaker vessel will carry out its first supply mission to the Dumont d’Urville station in Antarctica in winter 2018.
The ship will have accommodations for 60 persons, a cargo capacity of 1200 metric tons, and will be fitted with a helideck large enough to accommodate two helicopters.
Wärtsilä’s experience and strong track record in providing solutions for icebreakers and arctic research and support vessels were prime considerations in the award of the propulsion contract.
The full scope of supply comprises four in-line Wärtsilä 20 main engines, two Wärtsilä stainless steel CPP propellers and shaft lines, two Wärtsilä reduction gears, four Wärtsilä NOR (NOx reduction) emissions after treatment systems that will enable the ship to comply with IMO Tier III emission regulations, and one Wärtsilä tunnel thruster.
The stainless steel propellers conform to the Bureau Veritas (BV) icebreaker 5 ice class rules.
“For this type of vessel that will be operating in the most challenging ice and weather conditions, reliability and efficient performance are essential. Wärtsilä has a strong reference list indicating our ability to fulfil these requirements and we are extremely pleased to be cooperating with Chantiers Piriou in this project,” says Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
The Wärtsilä equipment is planned for delivery in mid-2016.
NOVEMBER 20, 2015 — Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) reports that group company Ferry Sunflower Limited is moving ahead with plans to construct two large-scale ROpax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) ferries. The newbuilding
The highly specialized 257 ft x 52 ft vessel features a helideck, a 60 ton AHC crane with 3,000 m of wire, POB (60), a mezzanine deck with internal office and control rooms capable of supporting two full work class ROV systems. The vessel also offers 6,200 sq. ft. of clear useable deck space.
The Brandon Bordelon is equipped with two Sonardyne Ranger2 Pro thru-hull USBL full systems. Ranger 2 is a high performance acoustic position reference system designed for tracking underwater targets and positioning dynamically positioned (DP) vessels. It uses the Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) positioning method to calculate the position of a subsea target, for example an ROV, by measuring the range and bearing from a vessel-mounted transceiver to an acoustic transponder fitted to the target.
The vessel delivers a fully integrated ROV control room, ROV support offices, below deck work and storage spaces, extensive communications and ROV data network, plug and play, with patch panel racks installed — all tied into the vessel systems, bridge, office, and accommodation spaces.
The vessel is designed with removable bulwarks around the entire aft of vessel along with power, water, air, and hydraulic oil connections on the deck.
Four additional below deck Tier 3 generators provide fully redundant power to the crane and ROV systems.
“We are very excited to introduce the M/V Brandon Bordelon,” says CEO Wes Bordelon. “This vessel is the next generation design of the Stingray series and continues our commitment of the ULIV concept to the subsea market. With the addition of a helideck and other integrated systems the Brandon provides an additional highly capable and low cost vessel option to our clients.”
It has won an order to build four RAstar 3400 Azimuth Stern Drive tugs for new client Greenbay Marine Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based internationalspecialist marine craft group.
The four vessels are expected to be delivered in early 2017 and Triyards says the order is worth some $12.8 million, excluding owner-furnished equipment.
Powered by 4,400 kW engines, each of the 34-m tugs will be constructed for escort operations in adverse sea and weather conditions.
