Hj Barreras News

Bolidt Synthetic Products & Systems' position for decking and flooring in mainstream cruise ship and superyacht markets has been quickly converted into a series of business wins in the fast-emerging polar expedition cruise ship sector.The most recent contract for the Dutch manufacturer’s hardwearing, environmentally friendly and visually attractive products covers the Hurtigruten newbuildings, Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansens, two hybrid propulsion expedition cruise ships under construction at Kleven shipyard in Norway.

Petter Sundet, Captain of Edda Fortis, discusses with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News the evolution of top-notch accommodation in the offshore environment. Please provide a brief bio. Specifically, how did you come to a career in the marine industry, and ascend to your current position? I first went to sea when I was 16 years old, to see the world. The first years I sailed as a deck hand, then as an ordinary seaman and then became an Able Seaman which was as far as you could go without any formal education. During this time I worked on general cargo ships, oil tankers, and OBO carriers.

The Norwegian-owned offshore accommodation vessel, Edda Fides, one of the most  advanced and sophisticated vessels of its type in the world,  has been dry-docked at Gibdock in Gibraltar for a week-long package of work at the yard. The ‘floatel’, owned by Østensjø Rederi, arrived at Gibdock on April 2nd and was docked the following day. The main scope of work involved disconnecting and lowering the starboard aft Voith Thruster and renewing the main thruster seal. Edda Fides has a unique monohull form to enable the positioning of the accommodation forward and the Voith thrusters to the stern.

Algerian state-owned shipowner ENTMV (Enterprise Nationale de Transports Maritimes de Voyageurs) has placed an order with IZAR to build two ro-ro passenger ferries. Instead of initial plans for splitting the order between IZAR and its former subsidiary H.J. Barreras, both vessels will be built by IZAR at its Seville yard. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery on January 2004 and the second, four months later. ENTMV will operate the ships between Algiers and Marseilles, with a call on the way at Alicante. Each vessel will accommodate up to 1,300 passengers and up to 130 crew, with a 1,350 lineal meter lane equivalent to 300 cars or 42 lorries. There will be 132 first class cabins plus 77 tourist class cabins, plus 85 crew cabins. Passenger public spaces will total 4,900 sq m. 2,900t.