Marine Log - October 2008 - (Page 32)

China is making inroads in specialized ship sectors with orders for ships like this Rickmers’ multipurpose vessel chong with delivery of the first vessel set for May 2011 and the fourth by December 2011. This latest quartet brings to 18 the number of newbuildings now contracted in China for deployment in Rickmers-Linie’s worldwide network. “Between December 2009 and December 2011, we will add altogether 18 vessels in three different sizes to our fleet,” said Jan Boje Steffens, president and CEO of Rickmers-Linie. “We will renew and expand our fleet substantially and will thus be able to meet the ever increasing demand of our customers for capacity for the carriage of project cargoes and heavylifts.” Added Steffens, “Upon completion of this expansion program, we will have one of the most modern fleets operating in the global heavylift/project liner trades.” The newbuildings now ordered from Guangzhou Wenchong are identical to four “Superflex Mumbai Max Class” vessels being built for Polaris by Wuhu Xinlian Shipbuilding, a contract that was announced last July. All eight have been purpose-designed for the carriage of breakbulk, heavylift and project cargo. With a deadweight of 24,000 tonnes, an overall length of 175 m and a beam of 26.5 m, they will be fitted with variable height tweendecks for maximum cargo flexibility. Each vessel will be equipped with three cranes, one capable of lifting 120 tonnes and two 350 tonne units that can be combined to handle loads of up to 700 tonnes. The service speed of the ships will be up to 18 knots. The electronic control of the main engine utilizes the latest in technological development for the reduction of bunker consumption and CO 2 emissions. In October 2007, Rickmers-Linie announced the start of its fleet renewal and expansion program with six 19,000 dwt vessels and four 17,000 dwt vessels. The six 19,000 dwt vessels were ordered by Rickmers Group from Tongfang Shipyard, each one equipped with two 240tonne cranes, capable of working in tandem to lift 480 tonnes. These ships, are planned for delivery in January, April, June, July, October and December 2010. The other four newbuildings announced in 2007 are 17,000 dwt ships, ordered by a partner from Xinshun Shipyard and will be chartered by RickmersLinie. These will be equipped with two 150-tonne cranes, which can be combined for a maximum lifting capacity of 300 tonnes. A third crane will offer an 80www.marinelog.com 32 MARINE LOG OCTOBER 2008 http://www.mptusa.com http://www.mptusa.com http://www.marinelog.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Marine Log - October 2008

Marine Log - October 2008 Contents Editorial Second Thoughts Update Inside Washington Fresh Fuel Ferries Exhibitors Preview Ferries get "Smarter" China's Great Ambitions Newsmakers Tech News Contracts Events Website Directory ML Buyer's Guide ML Marketplace Shipbuilding History

Marine Log - October 2008

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