FSG diversifies with project ship order

Tom Todd writes: For delivery in the first half of 2014, the 151.5m long, 8,000dwt ships will have speeds of 16 knots fully laden. Each will be propelled by two Diesel engines and a double propeller plant but no equipment details were initially released.

The ships are for the widest possible range of project cargo. Cargoes can be handled either by two heavy load cranes moving items up to 700tons or via adjustable ro-ro stern ramps which can be adapted to differing quay heights. That permits handling of individual cargo up to 3,000tons in weight, FSG said. The ships can also be submersed by more than 12m to float cargo in or out.

FSG has made a name for itself over the past 15 years as a market leader in the building of ro-ro and ro-pax ships. The Rolldock news comes just two months after it won a 19,500dwt newbuild described as “the world’s most eco-friendly con-ro ship” for Canada’s Oceanex.

FSG said, however, the latest contract was “the first successful step” in the expansion of its production pallet and declared that “the future of the shipyard lies in its versatility”. The comment brought to mind the 1990s, when FSG successfully survived Asian competition by switching from container to ro-ro ship building.

“We still want to remain the number one on the ro-ro market”, said MD Peter Sierk, adding however that with classical markets declining “it is imperative for the survival of a modern yard that it offers new ideas”.

FSG has one of the best current order books in Germany. Apart from the new Rolldock ships it has six other ships for completion up to 2014 and said further “new and very promising projects” were being worked on.