Hellespont Alhambra, the first of the series of four new ultra-high specification double hull ulccs now being delivered to Piraeus-based
Hellespont Group, will deliver a full cargo of Middle East crude to Rotterdam at the beginning of February, following a swift voyage from the
Middle East Gulf to Europe via the Suez Canal.
Alex Papachristidis-Bove, president and co-chartering manager of Seatramp
Tankers, Hellespont's commercial management, says, "It's exciting to come up
with innovative solutions, successfully execute them for our clients, and
know that we provide a unique service that is appreciated. The quality of
design and build of these ships, their structural soundness, and the high
quality of the hand-picked crew allow us to do these voyages. Our
newbuilding ulccs have not yet had the chance to trade with all of our
clients, but those who have used them have first-hand knowledge that their
speed, flexibility and economies of scale result in a lower
dollar-per-barrel transportation cost."
The Hellespont Alhambra lifted over 400,000 tonnes of crude ex Kharg Island
and Juaymah on January 8, 2003, and is expected to deliver in Rotterdam on
February 3, giving a voyage average speed of 16.5 knots. The oil major cargo
will be part-discharged at Ain Shukna and re-loaded at Sidi Kerir following
the Suez transit.
The Hellespont Alhambra and her sister ship the Hellespont Metropolis have
been in constant employment since they were delivered in early 2002. The
Hellespont Alhambra was the largest tanker ever to discharge in the Santa
Catalina Gulf, 20 miles off Long Beach, California in May 2002 on her maiden
voyage. The Hellespont Metropolis recently became the first ulcc to lift a
cargo of fuel oil in Rotterdam for delivery to Singapore. Both vessels have
also lifted a number of cargoes from the AG for discharge in the US Gulf.
The Hellespont Tara, the third of the series, was delivered in November
2002, and the Hellespont Fairfax, the fourth and final ulcc, will be
delivered this March. Built at Korea's Daewoo yard to LR and ABS class, the
vessels set
new standards for large tanker strength and speed.