Stowage System News

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. introduced an upgraded stowage planning system for car carriers called “MOL-CAPS”. The MOL-CAPS system generates a voyage-by-voyage stowage plan that determines where to stow specific vehicles in consideration of different factors, such as the onboard structure, the type of vehicles being transported, and calling ports. The company introduced MOL-CAPS in 1999, and will adopt this new version for the next-generation car carriers, the FLEXIE series, which will be delivered starting in March 2018. The new version of the system allows optimal stowage, with the maximum use of the FLEXIE series’ new deck structure (Note) , which offers a greater range of adjustment in the liftable deck height, providing greater flexibility compared to car carriers now in service.

BG Freight Line, a fully owned subsidiary of Peel Ports Group, is to receive new tailor-made short sea container feeder vessels optimized for the company’s Irish Sea Hub services. The new class of ‘green’ vessels has been developed by BG Freight Line operation with ARKON Shipping as project initiator/commercial manager, technical managers Jüngerhans Maritime Services and designers CIMC ORIC. BG Freight Line will take delivery of four sister vessels under long-term charter after delivery from China’s Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard, with them expected to enter service during 2018.

ODIM Spectrum Ltd., a leading undersea sensor handling system provider for naval air and shipboard  applications, announced it has been awarded an initial phase $5.1m contract for the design, build, test, and delivery of a pre-production Multi-Function Towed Array Handling and Stowage System (MFTA) for the U.S. Navy’s DDG-51 Flight IIA destroyers. Follow-on options include production systems for more than 20 systems valued at about $38m, with production options scheduled to be exercised in 2010. The award is from the U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport, R.I. In the initial program phase, ODIM will develop a modernized system to handle the MFTA, and the handling systems are a critical element to the overall AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 ASW Combat System modernization for the DDG-51 Flight IIA’s.