Hartmann orders ten AHTS vessels

Following the two ships ordered in October 2006, the German owner Hartmann Logistik GmbH, a subsidiary of the Hartmann Group, has placed a contract with Fincantieri to build a further eight multipurpose Anchor Handling, Towing & Supply ships (AHTS).

A total of ten ships for delivery between end 2008 and the first six months of 2010 will be built, with an option for another two vessels. Since Fincantieri is already building two similar vessels for another Italian owner this means that 12 ships of this type have been ordered in a single year.

Hartmann Logistik is confident that the vessels, whose “Moss 424” design was developed by the Saipem Group company Moss Maritime, will prove to be highly flexible in service. The basic Moss 424 design was considerable upgraded to meet the requirements of the German shipowner. Founded in 1981, Hartmann Reederei is a leading global player, with a fleet of over 100 vessels including container ships, gas tankers and product tankers as well as bulk carriers, multipurpose vessels and special carriers and currently has a substantial newbuilding program with yards in Europe and the Far East.

The vessels ordered from Fincantieri will be 76.50 metres long, 17.50 metres wide with a draught of 6.85 metres, a deadweight of over 3,000 tonnes and will be classed by ABS. Equipped with four diesel engines generating 12,000 kW, the ships will be capable of reaching a maximum speed of 16.3 knots and will have a bollard pull of more than 190 tons.

Moreover, the ships will have a 600 sq.m dedicated area for cargo on deck and will be able to carry dry bulk and liquid cargo needed by offshore platforms during exploration and production activities.