GROWING FLEET FOR HEAVY CARGO SPECIALIST

The launch in China on March 3 of the 12,385dwt Charlie signalled the impending completion of a four-ship newbuild programme based on a proven, versatile design equipped to handle 500t lifts.

Deliveries of the initial two vessels committed to Hamburg-based dship were effected from Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering in 2019, followed earlier this year by the third in the series. Besides the incoming Charlie, a further unit of the 147m F-500 type has been secured on timecharter.

The design is well suited to dship Carriers’ trading ambit, encompassing project and heavy-lift shipments along with a broader ranging capability as to breakbulk, bagged and bulk cargoes.

The F-500 has been developed to provide increased stowage flexibility with reduced overall fuel consumption, and its batch production has contributed to capital cost competitiveness.

The specification of two portside-mounted Liebherr 250t cranes, combinable for 500t lifts, plus extra-long No2 hold, adjustable tweendecks, and weatherdeck loading, offers a swathe of freight options in terms of cargo size, weight, and type.

The 76.5m aft hold allows for particularly long consignments underdeck, complemented by the smaller (12.7m) No1 hold. Tanktop reinforcement to 20t/m² meets requirements for heavy, indivisible items as well as amply accommodating stows of steel products and forestry goods. The cranes confer a maximum 250t unit handling capacity at an outreach of 18m, decreasing progressively with distance, but still affording 45t at 36m.

The squared-off, unobstructed configuration above and below deck provides a further revenue option in boxship mode, potentially for an 872TEU payload.

The F-500 is powered by a five-cylinder G45ME-C9.5 diesel from the MAN portfolio. The rating in this application is just 4,800kW, although the model can achieve 6,950kW at its nominal MCR. For close-quarter manoeuvring, hull rotation is assisted by a 600kW bow thruster. Three 590kW auxiliaries, driven by MAN D2842 high-speed engines, and a 685kW shaft alternator supply the shipboard net.

Each of the new vessels incorporates a Becker Mewis Duct device and Becker rudder, elements that clearly influence the energy efficiency standard achieved. The duct straightens and accelerates the flow into the propeller and yields a net forward thrust. The associated fin system gives a pre-swirl to the ship wake, reducing losses in the propeller slipstream.

dship Carriers was founded in 2014 by Thomas C.Press, owner and head of the global logistics company Deugro.