Dannebrog Rederi News

Silverstream Technologies and Shell has confirmed consistent net efficiency savings in excess of 4% in fuel consumed, following the successful long-term operation of Silverstream Technologies’ proprietary air lubrication technology, the Silverstream System, on-board the 40,000 DWT tanker MT Amalienborg. Further analysis of the data gathered through this process predicts that for larger vessels, efficiency savings of up to 8% are possible. Data was taken from the MT Amalienborg under ‘business as usual’ commercial operations encompassing all operating conditions.

Silverstream Technologies and Shell announced the sea trial of Silverstream Technologies’ new air lubrication technology for ships, the Silverstream System. The sea trials, independently verified by Lloyds Register Ship Performance Team, show net energy efficiency savings in all analyzed cases, the companies reported. Shell funded, and with Silverstream, oversaw the installation of the Silverstream System on the 40,000DWT products tanker MT Amalienborg, owned by the Danish Shipping company Dannebrog Rederi. The trials verified by the Lloyds Register Ship Performance Team showed net average energy efficiency savings of 4.3% and 3.8% for the vessel in ballast and laden conditions respectively.

International classification society RINA has been recognized by Sweden’s Clean Shipping Project as being able to verify ships and shipping companies in accordance with verification guidelines developed for ranking in the Clean Shipping Index. The Clean Shipping Index is backed by a number of Swedish bodies, many of Sweden’s largest cargo shippers, and the EU. It is an index taking a holistic perspective on the environmental issues of shipping. It takes into account the environmental effects connected to shipping, such as emissions to air and water, and the use of chemicals and anti-fouling, and ranks vessels or shipping companies according to their performance under each criteria. It is aimed at giving charterers a clearer view of the environmental performance of shipping providers.

Stena Bulk is increasing its MR segment (Medium Range product tankers of 50,000 dwt) by acquiring 50 percent of the Danish shipping company Weco. This means that Stena Bulk has doubled its fleet in this segment from 15 to 30 tankers. Its objective over the next couple of years is to build up an operation with upwards of 50 vessels under the new brand name of Stena Weco. Weco, which is part of the privately owned shipping group Dannebrog, is a market leader in the transportation of special-type products such as palm oils, edible oils and caustic soda. Weco currently operates some 15 vessels with peaks of 30-35 vessels, including short-term charters. “This is in line with our new investment in worldwide MR operation with a greater focus on cargoes of edible oils.

The ‘A’ rated, 75 million GT North of England P&I club reaffirmed its commitment to the Danish shipping industry this week with a reception for members, potential members and their advisors at Langelinie Pavillonen in Copenhagen. Guests included Lars Christensen, senior vice president and head of the tanker department at Norden, and Anders Schmidt, general claims and insurance manger of Clipper Bulk, both of whom represent Denmark on the club’s board of directors. Other ship-owning, operating and chartering companies represented at the event included Atlas Shipping, Clipper Elite Carriers, Comet Shipping, Custodia Shipping, Dannebrog Rederi, DFDS, Eitzen Bulk, NIMA Management, Norient Product Pool, TKB Shipping and TORM.

MC Shipping Inc., said it plans to buy a pair of semi-refridgerated liquefied petroleum gas tankers from Germany's Bernhard Schulte Group. The company did not disclose the cost of the ships, but together with its recent purchase of the 20,700 CBM-capacity Hans Maersk, MC Shipping spent a combined $71.5m on the three vessels. The company said it expects to take delivery of the Tyco Brahe and the Immanuel Kant sometime before July 31. Then the company intends to time-charter the vessels back to the Schulte Group for use in the Scandigas Pool, a pool of vessels operated by A.P. Moller-Maersk Group of Denmark, for a minimum of 2 years. The rate was not disclosed.