Siba Ships declares option

Italian shipowner, Siba Ships, has declared an option on a second livestock carrier under construction at Labroy Shipyard in Singapore. This second vessel will be a sister-ship to Hull T155, both of which are due for delivery from the yard in 2007.

“Siba already owns the youngest fleet in the world for the transportation of live animals. These new vessels mark our commitment not only to expanding our capacity but also improving standards in the industry through ever advancing and innovative design,” says Mauro Balzarini, managing director of Siba Ships.

The new vessels will be capable of carrying approximately 30,000 sheep or 6,500 cattle on seven decks (four enclosed and three open). They will have deadweight of 7,850 tonnes and a speed of 18 knots making them particularly competitive on developing routes such as South America to Asia and the Middle East.

Both vessels have been designed for the maximum comfort of the animals onboard. Fodder, stored onboard in a purpose-built silo, is distributed to the animals using an unmanned and fully automated system. The fresh water system, capable of producing 350 tonnes a day, is also automated to ensure that every pen has fresh water available 24 hours a day.

The vessels will also be the first to comply with the new Australian Maritime Safety Agency rules on air velocity in pens with a ventilation system that ensures no less than 80 air changes per hour in the enclosed decks and 40 air changes per hour in the open decks.

For the first time ever in the livestock industry, the vessels will also be equipped with two separate and independent engine rooms, and obtain the notation IPS (Independent Propulsion System). Even the complete loss of one engine room will not impede the vessel from safely continuing its journey and also continuing to provide full ventilation, feeding and watering services to the livestock, ensuring the safety of both the animals and the crew.

“Despite the considerably higher cost of construction, innovative features such as the Independent Propulsion Systems are indicative of the value Siba Ships places on animal welfare,” says Balzarini. The vessels will have a crew of 32, 15 of whom will be dedicated to the care and welfare of the livestock onboard.