NPS Connects Dunkerque and Metz
The Port of Dunkerque, France's biggest harbour on the North Sea in terms of the total traffic throughput, is continuing to develop its combined transport plan with the implementation of the Flandres Express (FLEX) rail service to the East of France.Created in 2013, Nord Port Shuttle (NPS), has gradually developed a network of containerized river services between Dunkerque and the main inland ports of the Hauts-de-France Region.With the setting-up of a rail service between Dunkerque and Metz, the operator has integrated a new mode of high-volume transport into its services accessing a major economic area.The FLEX service will offer a weekly round trip during the start-up phase with Metz…
Heavy Lift Jack-up Apollo Refit Completed
DEME Offshore’s newest heavy-lift jack-up Apollo has recently completed a one-month conversion project at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque (DSDu) that included the installation of a moon pool on the main deck.According to DSDu, the technical demands combined with the limited time available required highly precise planning together with working around the clock in order to complete on time.The moonpool installation involved creating an opening right through the center of the vessel, from the main deck down through the engine stores and finally through the hull.
Port of Dunkerque Obtains EcoPorts’ Environmental Standard (PERS)
ESPO congratulates Port of Dunkerque (France) for obtaining for the first time EcoPorts’ environmental management standard (PERS). Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO’s Secretary General, handed over the PERS certificate to Stéphane Raison, CEO of Port Dunkerque, during a special ceremony which took place at the port. “I welcome the PERS certification of Port of Dunkerque which has become the ninth port certified with PERS from France. The Port of Dunkerque is clearly a port that puts environmental sustainability on the forefront. We hope that the PERS certification gives the people in the port working on a daily basis on environmental performance the well-deserved pat on the back.
Europe’s First LNG Dredger Conversion Underway
Work has kicked off at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque to convert the trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Samuel de Champlain from diesel-electric propulsion to dual-fuel capability combining marine gas oil (MGO) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). A ceremony was held at the yard to mark the first cutting of steel for the prefabrication of a new section of hull that will hold the new generators and other equipment.Present at the occasion were Jean-Pierre Guellec, CEO of GIE Dragages-Ports…
Dunkirk Plans LNG Fueling Station
Dunkirk's LNG terminal and Grand Port Maritime de Dunkerque have signed an agreement for the development of an LNG supply station. The use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by shipping and road vehicles has grown significantly in recent months with new projects (orders for ships, LNG supply stations, etc). Dunkerque-Port and Dunkerque LNG are convinced of the role that LNG will play both at sea and on land in reducing greenhouse gas and particle emissions. Dunkerque-Port and Dunkerque LNG have signed a partnership agreement for the development of a station to supply LNG to tank trucks. Under this agreement Dunkerque-Port will support Dunkerque LNG in its undertaking to build and then operate the supply station…
DSDu Completes Refurbishment of Floating Dock
Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque (DSDu) has completed major refurbishment works to the yard’s floating dry dock. The dock, capable of taking vessels up to 180 meters in length and lifting 14,000 tonnes, is owned by the Port of Dunkerque (Grand Port Maritime de Dunkerque – GPMD) and is operated by DSDu. It is a major piece of ship repair infrastructure and an important part of the yard’s capability to repair and maintain a wide range of vessels. The dock has recently celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. It was built in 1986 in Germany and purchased by GPMD in 2001.
NileDutch Upgrades the Europe-West Africa Trade
Starting in March, NileDutch, the container carrier specialized in connections to and from West Africa, will upgrade its services from Europe to West Africa by operating two loops. Antwerp - Le Havre - Leixoes by rail to Lisbon - Lisbon - Algeciras - Tanger - Pointe Noire - Luanda - Lobito - Namibe - Abidjan - Tanger - Antwerp. A new service to Dakar and Abidjan will provide extra loading ports. Dunkerque - Tilbury - Antwerp - Dunkerque - Le Havre - Montoir - Tanger - Algeciras - Dakar - Abidjan - Dakar - Algeciras - Dunkerque.
M/V "New Expedition" Delivered
New Design-11th Cape-size Bulk Carrier of Dunkerque-max Type. Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES with President Mr. Yasuhiko Katoh) completed and delivered 174,600 dwt type bulk carrier, MV "New Expedtion" (MES HULL No. 1825) at its Chiba Works on February 1st, 2013 to Salute Maritime S.A., Panama. This ship is the 11th ship of the designed Cape-size Bulk Carrier of Dunkerque-max Type(*). It enables effective cargo handling, easy maintenance of cargo holds and structural safety by adopting a double-side skin to cargo holds construction.
