SAM Electronics for New U.S. Tankers
Three new shallow-draught 49,000-dwt tankers ordered by AHL Shipping of San Antonio, Texas for subsequent long-term charter to Shell Trading (US) in 2009-2010 are to be equipped with SAM Electronics’ navigation, communication and propulsion systems as part of a single-source vendor contract obtained by parent organisation, L-3 Communications of New York. Associate L-3 companies, L-3 of Westwood, Oklahoma and Valmarine of Norway are also to supply equipment, with Valmarine due to deliver its Damatic DNA series of integrated automation systems (IAS). The IAS covers complete control and monitoring of machinery systems. Power management is also integrated to the IAS while a mode change system enhances safe and easy transition between two sailing modes.
MaK Power for U.S. Tankers
Caterpillar Marine Power Systems will propel a series of 49,000 dwt tankers, built and operated in the US according to domestic Jones Act regulations. Propulsion will be diesel-electric using three MaK 12 M 32 C generating sets equipped with Siemens alternators. Each set will weigh about 120 tons and provide 5760 kWe at 720 rpm. The tankers have been ordered by AHL Shipping Company, San Antonio, Texas, following a charter agreement with Shell Trading (US) Company, Houston, Texas, to transport crude oil, chemicals and products within domestic US trade lanes from 2009/2010. Approximate vessel dimensions: length 188 metres, breadth 32 metres, draft 11 metres, cargo capacity 330,000 barrels.
ABS Classes First CSR Tankers Built in the U.S.
International classification society ABS confirmed it will class the first common structural rules (CSR) tankers built in the United States. Three, shallow-draft 49,000 dwt Jones Act product tankers built for Texas-based AHL Shipping Company are currently under review by the society. ABS is most familiar with the tanker design having been involved since 2004 when it applied its proprietary SafeHull analysis to the initial design. SafeHull is a dynamic-based ship design evaluation system founded on engineering first principles. According to Tom Kirk, Director, Technology & Business Development, ABS Americas, this design was originally…
Contracts Bring Work to Mobile Yards
According to reports, two Mobile, Ala., shipyards have landed new contracts, one to retrofit a container vessel to ship vehicles to Hawaii, and the other to build an aluminum work boat for the U.S. Navy. Atlantic Marine Alabama LLC recently signed a $17 million contract with Matson Navigation Co. Inc. to retrofit an automobile container ship. Silver Ships Inc. in Theodore has an $882,773 contract to build a 58-foot aluminum ship for Naval Systems Sea Command. For Matson, Atlantic Marine will modify a carrier capable of carrying 2,800 20-foot containers to include a large RoRo, shipping component. Source: Press Register
Matson Vessel to Undergo $17m Conversion
Matson Navigation Company, Inc. (Matson) has signed a $17m contract with Atlantic Marine Alabama, LLC to perform work related to the conversion of Matson’s C-9, MV Mokihana, to a combination RoRo and container vessel. Modification work on the 2,800 TEU containership will commence in April 2007 at Atlantic Marine’s shipyard in Alabama, with delivery scheduled for June 2007. “The conversion of the Mokihana will increase Matson’s ro-ro capacity in our Hawaii service by 35 percent,” said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services. “It will help further Matson’s objective of providing our auto customers with the two features they prefer: frequency of service and ro-ro capacity.
