Special ships keep German yards busy

In Kiel, IFM-GEOMAR, the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences, was extensively overhauling and modernising two research ships thanks to a government grant of €6 million. The 60.8m, 34 year-old Poseidon and the nearly 20-year-old, 55.2m Alkor were being extensively refurbished and much of their scientific equipment modernised.

The list of jobs was long, the Institute said, and ranged from main engine work to the installation of communications equipment. Spokesman Andreas Villwock told The Motorship that Poseidon was being drydocked in May for second stage overhaul, which included outer hull work, work below the waterline and the renewal of the deep-sea sounder.

First phase work on Poseidon was carried out by Schiffsdieseltechnik (SDT) in Rendsburg. Villwock said the biggest job was the refurbishment of the ship’s three MWM (Motoren Werke Mannheim AG) TD 602 V 16 main engines and AEG generators along with electronic systems. Other work included installation of a new gyro-compass and extensive overhaul of washroom, laboratory and galley facilities and winches and lifting gear.

Willwock said it was not known where the second phase of Poseidon work would be carried out, or who would carry out similar work on Alkor, which he told The Motorship had “regrettably” been postponed until the last quarter of the year. No reason for the delay was given.

East in Stralsund, a bigger research ship, the 73m, 3,500 dwt military research SWATH Planet was lifted onto dry land at Volkswerft for four days of repairs after rope caught in a propeller screw shaft and damaged sealing. Built at Nordseewerke in 2005, Planet is still Germany’s biggest SWATH. She was last at Volkswerft in 2008 for class renewal.

Yet another research ship, the GKSS Research Centre’s 31m shallow water vessel Ludwig Prandtl, was being converted at the SSB Oortkaten Shipyard near Hamburg as The Motorship went to press. GKSS spokesman Volker Dzaak said the work was for completion about mid February. The work included modifications to her ballast and fuel tanks and getting a stern A-frame for the launch of submersibles. The contract was worth €100,000.

SSB Oortkaten is also busy until April with the conversion of the 27.2m long and 6.5m wide harbour passenger ferry Falkenstein for Hamburg ferry and tourist concern Hadag. The vessel is being widened by 1.3m, which is what also happened to sister Wolfgang Borchert at SSB in 2007. That ship was cut twice lengthways, on either side of the engine block. A new bow had to be built, which also lengthened the ship by 0.7m. Stern passenger accommodation was also renovated and enlarged.

The ferry is also getting a new engine and side entry points in work costing a reported €700,000 – € 800,000.