Hull

Maritrans Secures Patent for Converting Single-Hull Tank Ships

Maritrans Inc. has obtained a patent on its proprietary process for rebuilding single-hull tank ships and converting them into double-hull vessels. With the most recent patent, Maritrans has now patented the double-hull conversion process for both barges and tank ships. The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as well as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), each require the retirement of single-hull tank vessels. In January of 2001, Maritrans announced that it had received the first of three patents for internal double-hull conversions of single-hull barges. These Maritrans patents involved pre-fabrication of large tank structures that are inserted into the existing hull, with a trunk deck extending above the pre-existing deck. The design allows double-hull conversion while preserving virtually all of the previous cargo capacity. Maritrans is currently completing its fifth barge rebuilding project using this patented process. This latest patent, for single-hull tank ships, addresses the unique design of these vessels. Maritrans utilized its computer-assisted modular design process, pioneered in the previous double-hull patents, to formulate an appropriate double-hull structure for tank ships. The patent differs from the previous barge patents in that it combines the addition of an inner bottom with external side modules. Maritrans also has other U.S

USCG Codifies Single Hull Phase-out Requirements

In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the USCG proposes to clarify and codify a policy it issued in April 1999 regarding phase-out dates for single hull tank vessels. OPA 90 includes requirements for double hull tank vessels and phase-out schedules for all single hull tank vessels operating in U.S. waters. Tank vessel owners are required to remove single hull tank vessels from service on a specific date, depending on such factors as the vessel's gross tonnage, age and hull configuration

ExxonMobil Still Chartering Single Hulled Tankers

U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil continues to charter single-hull tankers for its oil, tanker brokers said on Thursday. ExxonMobil has been in the market for a five-year time-charter since late August, brokers said, and has recently been giving serious consideration to a single-hulled very large crude carrier (VLCC) that will be nearly 20 years old by the end of the charter in 2005. Negotiations, however, have recently reached a stalemate, brokers said.

Strategic Marine Launches Caballo Maya

Strategic Marine has successfully launched the first of two 496 ft Dive Supports Vessels, Caballo Maya (Hull 156) in Vietnam. The vessel was launched on the 5th of April, 2010, with the second vessel (Hull 157) approximately 90% complete and eight weeks from completion. “We were originally awarded the contract for Hull 156 in late 2006, and were engaged to exclusively carry out the steel fabrication works on the vessel,” explained Managing Director Mark Schiller

Simon Beale Elected Chairman of Joint Hull Committee

Simon Beale, underwriter of the KJ Coles syndicate at Lloyd's, has been elected chairman of the Joint Hull Committee (JHC). The JHC is a joint initiative by the International Underwriting Association of London and Lloyd's Underwriters' Association. Its role is to support and develop the role of the London hull insurance market. The JHC acts as a focal point for hull insurance issues while providing advice and representation to members on technical, legal, promotional and educational issues

Jotun to Offer Antifouling Coatings Guarantee

2011-05-02 – PRESS RELEASE: Jotun’s Hull Performance Solutions offers shipowners and managers who purchase Jotun’s silyl methacrylate SeaQuantum X200 a money back guarantee if the antifouling coating fails to deliver less than 1.5 per cent speed loss or a maximum 4.5 per cent increase in fuel consumption over a 60 months dry-docking interval. The Jotun Hull Performance Solutions guarantee is calculated on a transparent measurement and analysis tool

Jurong Shipyard Skids Hull in Rig Construction

Jurong Shipyard Pte Ltd (JSPL), a subsidiary of SembCorp Marine Ltd has skidded the massive 14,000 ton upper hull of a $285 million semi-submersible rig over the lower hull. It is reportedly the first of its kind involving the skidding of such a heavy structure. It was conceived, designed and constructed over a two-year period. On April 11, 2001, JSPL in collaboration with associated company PPL Shipyard Pte Ltd (PPL) entered into a fixed price agreement with GlobalSanteFe Corporation

Cathelco ICCP for Concept Jack-Up

Cathelco is supplying an ICCP hull corrosion protection system for a new type of jack-up vessel which is being constructed for Master Marine of Norway who specialize in the transport and installation of heavy structures for the offshore energy industry. The vessel, known as Service Jack 2, will initially be used to install wind turbines in the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm which is located in the Greater Wash approximately 9 miles north of the town of Sheringham in Norfolk

South Korea to Ban Single-Hulled Tankers after Spill

Reuters reported that South Korea will ban single-hulled tankers from traveling in its waters by 2011, earlier than the international regulation that calls for a ban from 2015, Seoul's maritime ministry said. A single-hulled tanker was involved in South Korea's worst oil spill last month, leaking around 10,500 tons of crude oil after a sea-bound crane mounted on a barge punched holes in the tanker's hull. As of January

S. Korean Shipbuilders Rushing to China for Hull Production

According to reports, South Korean shipbuilders are scrambling to move production of ship hulls to China to take advantage of its cheap labor and vast factory sites, industry sources said. Making hull blocks is mainly labor-intensive, so it is cost effective to manufacture hull blocks in China and assemble them back in South Korea, the sources said. Leading the pack is Samsung Heavy Industries Co., the world's third-largest shipbuilder