Cicek introduces new handy-size bulker

Turkey’s Cicek Shipyard launched a new 25,000 dwt bulk carrier design at the SMM 2008 exhibition in Hamburg. The current handy-size bulk carrier fleet is now aging and Cicek believes that many owners will soon be placing orders for replacement tonnage that both meets new regulations and offers improved efficiency.

Its new vessel, designed in-house, qualifies on both counts. “Our new double-hull design meets all current and anticipated environmental and safety regulations,” says Berke Cicek, Vice President of Cicek Shipyard. “In particular, it will qualify for the additional class notation CSR (Common Structural Rules) and will be compliant with the new Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC), which is intended to increase vessel safety and lifecycle by preventing corrosion.

“We have also concentrated on designing a vessel that is economical to operate,” he adds. “Many owners of older tonnage today are suffering because main engines built 15 or 20 years ago are expensive to run both in terms of bunkers and maintenance. We expect our vessel to operate with a crew of 22 and to maintain a service speed of 13 knots on just 21.5 tonnes a day. Further economies are expected due to the arrangement of the four holds, which are designed to be easily cleaned, thus saving

time and labour.”

The standard design features 35-tonne cranes, enabling larger than normal grabs to be used for bulk cargoes and for loading heavy unitised cargoes such as steel coil. Strengthening of the tank top to 20 tonnes m2 and MacGregor hydraulic hatch covers are help increase the speed of loading and discharge.