Double Hull Tankers News

While Greg Trauthwein never assigns me column subjects, each time the Great Ships issue comes around I go with the theme. However, I try to take a view askew on that subject and have found that these are the rare columns where I am criticized for my views. Greg must enjoy that, and this year he asked me to write a column on the worst ship designs. That was the entire assignment, and it was unclear if he asked me to discuss the worst ship designs for 2023, or in the history of ship design.

When the maritime history books are written, 2020 will be viewed as a year of pivots, re-invention and new paradigms. By February 2020, concerns about marine fuel’s sulfur content quickly shifted to near-term disruptions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. By mid-year, with demand recovering, the conversation turned to longer term questions surrounding the moves towards reduced maritime carbon emissions and alternative fuels. How will this all impact the current fleet?Perhaps the most extreme reaction to the shifting landscape is the ongoing “pivot” of Scorpio Bulk (NYSE: SALT)…

Royston completed work to overhaul a high-speed diesel engine on a Pritchard Gordon Tanker.Engineers undertook the 51,000 running hour service on the No.2 generator onboard the 127m length Henrietta PG in Trinidad as part of a planned refurbishment and maintenance program. The Henrietta PG is one of 10 purpose built shallow draft, double hull tankers from 6,200 dwt to 10,600 dwt in the Pritchard Gordon Tankers’ fleet. The company specializes in the transportation of crude oil…

Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) (“Ardmore”) has announced the appointment of Dr. Kirsi Tikka to the company’s Board of Directors.Dr. Tikka has over 30 years of shipping experience having recently retired from the American Bureau of Shipping  (“ABS”) in July 2019. She joined ABS in 2001 and held various specialist and leadership positions within ABS including as ABS Executive Vice President Global Marine, Europe Division President, and as Vice President and Chief Engineer, Global.

The global floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) market was valued at around US$ 25 Bn in 2017 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of around 12% from 2018 to 2026, said a new report.Based on type, the global FPSO market can be divided into converted, new-build, and redeployed, said a new report by Transparency Market Research (TMR) on FPSO market.In terms of value, the converted segment dominated the global FPSO market in 2017. Low capital requirement and faster deployment of converted FPSOs as compared to new-build FPSOs are likely to drive the segment during the forecast period.FPSO is a converted tanker or a purpose built vessel that can be multi-hull production semi-submersible, cylindrical shaped production spar/ mono hull, or ship shaped.

Teekay Tankers announced that it has completed and closed the previously-announced sale-leaseback transaction for six Aframax tankers, the Whistler Spirit, Blackcomb Spirit, Emerald Spirit, Garibaldi Spirit, Tarbet Spirit and Peak Spirit. The marine energy transportation said in a press release that, as a result, it has increased its liquidity position by approximately $60 million after the repayment of outstanding debt related to these vessels. This financing was part of the Company’s financing initiatives announced on August 2, 2018.As part of this financing, the Company will bareboat charter-in these vessels for 9 to 10 years. In addition…

Teekay Tankers and Tanker Investments Ltd. (TIL) announced the closing of the previously announced merger of the two companies. Upon the closing of the merger, each outstanding share of TIL common stock (other than shares held in the treasury of TIL or owned by Teekay Tankers or any of its subsidiaries) was exchanged for the right to receive 3.30 shares of Teekay Tankers Class A Common Stock, and TIL became a wholly owned subsidiary of Teekay Tankers. Teekay Tankers currently owns a fleet of 35 double-hull tankers, including 16 Suezmax tankers, 12 Aframax tankers, and seven Long Range 2 (LR2) product tankers, and has four capital leased Suezmax tankers and one contracted time charter-in vessel. TIL is a specialized investment company focused on the tanker market.

The fatal explosion in the pump room on the Brazilian FPSO Cidade de São Mateus in February 2015, demonstrated the potential for major accidents on this type of unit. Although there has never been an explosion in the oil storage tanks of an FPSO, there is a potential for such an event and offshore operators should assess the risks of such events to design against them. It is therefore imperative that risk assessments of FPSOs address this type of event. For this, they need to estimate its annual likelihood of occurring.

ABS, a provider of classification services to the global marine and offshore industries, announced the election of ABS Europe and Africa Division President Dr. Kirsi Tikka as a Foreign Member of the United States National Academy of Engineering (NAE). The invitation to become a Foreign Member of the NAE is a result of Tikka’s contributions leading to internationally recognized standards for ship structural design, construction and maritime safety. “Industry needs professional organizations like NAE to provide leadership for the engineering profession and to promote technological advancement…

d'Amico International Shipping S.A. has launched two eco-ships at the shipyards of Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard Co. Ltd – Vietnam, bringing the fleet to more than 50 units. The vessels Cielo di Ulsan, a handysize Ice Class of 39,000 tons and High Trader, a medium range 50,000-ton product tanker showcase innovative design aimed at offering incredible versatility in type of transport, elevated performance in terms of energy efficiency and consumption and an impressive reduction of emissions, allowing them to already meet the international standards that will come into force in 2025.

Eagle Bay, the second of two new U.S.-flag crude oil tankers for Exxon Mobil Corporation’s marine affiliate SeaRiver Maritime, Inc., was named at a ceremony at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. The first-in-class vessel constructed at the shipyard incorporates the latest safety, navigation and engine room technologies and will begin supplying crude oil from Alaska North Slope to refineries along the U.S. west coast later this year. The double hull Eagle Bay is 820-feet long and has capacity to carry 800,000 barrels of oil. SeaRiver Maritime said its contract with Aker for two tankers, valued at $400 million, delivered an economic boost to the greater Philadelphia region where it generated employment and millions of dollars in revenue.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) final rule on escort requirements for certain tankers operating on the waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska, was published Friday in the Federal Register. This rule finalizes the escort requirements in Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, Part CFR 168, which were previously published as an interim rule Aug. 19, 2013. This final rule mandates two tug escorts for double hull tankers of more than 5,000 gross tons, transporting oil in bulk in Prince William Sound. A double hull provides vessels with added protection from an oil spill resulting from a hull breach due to a grounding, allision or collision. While double hull tank vessels provide greater protection from oil spills compared to single hull tank vessels…

Dennis L. Bryant retired from the U.S. Coast Guard with the rank of Captain after 27 years active duty. His billets included serving on the icebreaker NORTHWIND for several years including in 1969 when it escorted the tanker MANHATTAN through the Northwest Passage (this was back in the old days, when there was real ice in the Arctic). He also spent various tours as a law specialist, including an assignment as the Coast Guard’s Law of the Sea officer. He also served a tour in the…

As Robert D. Somerville, ABS Chairman, winds down his career with the American Bureau of Shipping, he shares with Maritime Reporter more than four decades of insight and perspective on the evolution and future of class. Earlier this month you were honored by the US Coast Guard Foundation at a black tie event in NY City. You have received many honors over your career: in your mind what makes the recognition from the Coast Guard Foundation special or unique? ABS works with the maritime administrations of more than 125 countries…

Greece-vased Tops Ships Inc. agree a bareboat charter agreement for its dry bulk carrier 'MV Evian' TOP Ships Inc. an international maritime shipping company that provides transportation services for crude oil, petroleum products, and dry bulk commodities, announce that it has entered into a bareboat agreement to charter out the M/V "EVIAN" up to 15 December 2014 at a daily rate of US$ 7,000. The TOP Ships fleet  consists of 6 Handymax double hull tankers (for chemical/ petroleum products or crude oil) with average age 2.5 years and 1 dry cargo vessel with age 9 years. Total cargo carrying capacity of our fleet is approximately 350.000 DWT. The 51,215 dwt MV Evian was built in China in 2002, is classed with DNV, and is powered by a MAN 6S 50MC-C marine diesel engine.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. has decided to scrap five double-hull tankers (four VLCCs, one Suezmax) by the end of March 2012. Scrapping of two vessels is already completed, and preparations are under way to start dismantling the other three. All five tankers were crude carriers launched before 1998. MOL, as one of the world’s leading crude oil transport operators, is moving ahead to rejuvenate its fleet, upgrade the quality of its services, and solidify its position in the market, where it expects mid- and long-term growth. Meanwhile, the vessels will be scrapped at yards that conform to the “Guidelines to sell vessels for scrapping from an environmental viewpoint” stipulated by MOL.

Aims at Rejuvenation of the Fleet, Higher-quality Services. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Koichi Muto) today announced a decision to scrap five double-hull tankers (four VLCCs, one Suezmax) by the end of March. Scrapping of two vessels is already completed, and preparations are under way to start dismantling the other three. All five tankers were crude carriers launched before 1998. MOL, as one of the world’s leading crude oil transport operators, is moving ahead to rejuvenate its fleet…

CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P. ATHENS, GREECE, May 5, 2011 -Capital Product Partners L.P. (the "Partnership") (NASDAQ: CPLP), an international owner of modern double-hull tankers, today announces two important transactions, an increase in the investment of our Sponsor, Capital Maritime and Trading Corp. (“Capital Maritime”) in the Partnership and releases its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011. The Partnership is pleased to announce that on May 5, 2011 it entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Crude Carriers Corp. in a unit for share transaction.

ATHENS, Greece, March 8, 2011 -- Capital Product Partners L.P. (the "Partnership") (Nasdaq: CPLP), an international owner of modern double-hull tankers, today announced the successful chartering of the M/T Axios to Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras). The M/T Axios (2007 Build, Hyundai Mipo 47,823 DWT, Ice Class 1A) was fixed at a gross daily charter rate of $13,500 to Petrobras for 12 months (+/- 30 days). The charter commenced on March 4th 2011, and the earliest expected redelivery is February 2012. The vessel was previously fixed with Capital Maritime & Trading Corp, our Sponsor, for a period of 12 months, which terminated on March 2nd 2011. Mr.

Teekay Tankers Ltd. ·         Declared a cash dividend of $0.22 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2010. ·         Reported fourth quarter adjusted net income of $2.6 million, or $0.05 per share (excluding specific items which increased GAAP net income by $5.2 million, or $0.10 per share). ·         Over 60 percent of fourth quarter revenue days earned average fixed time-charter rate of $24,390 per day; significantly above average spot TCE of $14,779 per day earned on remaining spot revenue days. ·         Completed acquisition of one Suezmax tanker and one Aframax tanker for a total cost of $107.5 million. ·         In January 2011, commenced a 23-month extension of an existing Suezmax tanker time-charter.

On Friday, October 15, President Obama signed into law the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (H.R. 3619). This is the first such authorization act for the Coast Guard since 2006. The statute is lengthy (128 pages) and addresses a wide variety of maritime issues. This article will attempt to identify those provisions expected to have the most impact or of the most interest. I have grouped these provisions into broad categories, although there is some natural overlap. The Coast Guard is provided specific authority to enforce the U.S. coastwise trade laws and its personnel are to be trained with regard to these laws. This provision is somewhat redundant, in that the agency, since its founding as the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790, has had this authority.

While it may be an unpopular opinion, I support marine environmental regulation – so long as it is sensible, fair, well-researched, and structured so as to result in minimal unintended consequences. Knee-jerk regulation, on the other hand, is invariably counterproductive. Examples illustrate these points. The issue of whether oil tankers should be constructed with double hulls was debated within the maritime industry for years. Only a few shipowners were sufficiently intrepid to actually build such ships on an experimental basis – and they operated at a financial handicap as compared with their competitors who operated cheaper, simpler vessels.

General Maritime Corporation (NYSE:GMR) reported its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010. The company recorded a net loss of $14.3 million or $0.25 basic and $0.25 diluted loss per share for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to net income of $7.3 million or $0.13 basic and $0.13 diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The decrease in net income was primarily the result of an 18.1% decrease in TCE to $22,633 per day for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $27,649 per day for the prior year period, as well as an $11.2 million increase in net interest expense to $19.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $7.8 million for the prior year period.