Generally speaking, a ship is a bundle of features blended to achieve a specific objective. However, the design parameters are not always clear-cut and designing a ship is more than a science that can be reduced to purely economic criteria.
In this respect, there are a few general questions that are helpful to review when defining the particular features an investor wants to include before a new building gets commissioned. When evaluating a new design for potential new BBC vessels, we first limit the options to multipurpose vessels with heavy-lift capability. In general such arrangements bring the advantage of carrying a mix of general cargo in the hold; whilst
having the option to carry heavy project cargoes on deck or a full load of other standardized cargo. Our next generation of multipurpose vessel design addresses seven areas of improvement, or as we call it the “magic seven.”
The first criterion concerns the optimization of fuel consumption of the new vessel type. This gets achieved through specifically optimized hull lines, a new generation 2-stroke main engine with ultra-long stroke, the application of a low-resistance antifouling paint system, the implementation of a ship performance monitoring system, speed controlled cooling water pumps, and intelligent power management systems.
The second optimizing aspect of the new design is to speed up cargo turnover. Here one focus was on a new foldable weather deck hatch cover system with only two self-driven pontoons for easy traversing. Another plus in this respect are the vessels cranes which are approved for continuous bulk operation, and their ability to move tween decks with their auxiliary hoist only. Moreover, no stabilizing pontoons are required for heavy lifts.
The third category refers to the vessel’s ability to trade in any water. The new design is fitted for Great Lakes, AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority), and US trading. The vessel has GL ice class E3 and features a shallow draft that allows the vessel to call ports which usually limit access due to draft restrictions.
The fourth and most significant area of improvement concerns the vessel’s optimized handling of project and heavy lift cargo. The main cargo hold measures a length of 76,5m and is 17,6m wide, featuring deck loads up to 25t/m2 on the tank top. Maximum deck loads are 8t/m2 on the pontoon covers and 4t/m2 on tween decks and
hatch covers. Moreover, the vessel has a wider usable deck area compared to common designs. It can lift up to 500mt, combining its two cranes, even with an outreach of ~11m over the pier when using a lifting beam.
Achieving a lifting height exceeding 35m at 10m outreach is also a new design feature which helps to handle larger dimensioned cargoes. Additionally, the vessel now offers a meeting room on the poop deck and up to four cabins for guests or client representatives.
Fifth, there is additional flexibility given through the fact that the vessel is interchangeable with other sister vessels on order, and partially interchangeable with older, precursor vessels in the 12,000 dwt category.
The sixth area of optimization details a focus on operating expense savings through the use of high-quality components from top tier makers which require less maintenance.
Completing the “magic seven,” are ‘green ship’ char-acteristics. The vessel carries the class extension EP-D, which means it has an environmental passport. On top of that, it also runs far under the maximum permissible EEDI limit values set for 2025.
In short, the new vessel design offers a high degree of flexibility, high operating efficiency with up to 30% fuel savings over comparable existing designs, ‘green ship’ characteristics and the ability to trade any route and port.
With a realistic number of vessels on order, and options to build more, BBC Chartering and its partners are convinced this new vessel type fills an important role in the future multipurpose and heavy lift shipping market.
This shall continue the seminal story of BBC Chartering successfully introducing, marketing, and operating leading MPP / HL tonnage. The first vessel of this type is expected to join the BBC fleet by the beginning of 2016.
“Magic seven” areas of optimization
- Optimization of fuel consumption
- Speed up cargo turnover
- Global trade-ability
- Handling of project and heavy lift cargo
- Flexibility and interchangeability
- High quality equipment supporting OPEX savings
- ‘Green ship’ characteristics