Aker bags Stolt dozen

Aker Yards has won a contract with the Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group (STNG) in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to deliver four innovative parcel tankers with stainless steel cargo tanks. The contract represents an important strategic move to Aker Yards in repositioning its merchant vessels business area towards more specialized vessels.

The value of the contract is approximately $350 million and delivery is scheduled between the third quarter of 2008 and the fourth quarter of 2009 from Aker Yards in Flor?. The new contract follows the order of two parcel tankers of the same type by Stolt-Nielsen in 2005 to be delivered in 2007 and 2008.

The production of the ships will be split between Aker Yards, Flor? and the Damen Shipyards Okean in the Ukraine. The fore and aft sections of the ship will be built in the Ukraine while the midship section will be built at the same time in Flor?. The fore section of the ship will be welded to the aft section, and then towed as a “small” ship to Flor? where it will be separated in the dry dock and then joined with the mid-section.

The specialized tankers are of the type Aker TCOPss 43000 and will be 182.72 metres long and 32.2 metres wide. With a deadweight of 43,000 tonnes, they will have a total cargo capacity is 45,350 cubic metres. A 11,060 kW two-stroke diesel engine main engine will give a service speed of 15.0 knots. They will have optimized stainless steel tanks to fit with the owner’s operational requirements and new hull lines with less resistance for lower fuel consumption. All stainless steel tanks are located in the midship area which reduces the weight of stainless steel considerably.

SNTG and Aker Yards will also sign a Letter of Intent regarding future cooperation, emphasizing research, design and development that capitalize on the unique strengths of the two companies. Continued advancements in ship technologies, particularly those aimed at enhancing safety, reliability and environmental friendliness at a competitive price will be a priority of these cooperative efforts between Aker and SNTG.