Commercial Marine 404

Big Phoenix

Perth-based specialist subsea oil and gas service provider TSmarine has signed a contract with Havila Shipping for the charter of its sophisticated subsea vessel Havila Phoenix.

The firm period of the contract, which commenced in June, is two years with two optional periods each of six months.

Built in Norway and delivered in 2008, Havila Phoenix is a Havyard 858 design with a length overall of 110m, a 23m beam and maximum draft of 8.25m. It has a deadweight of approximately 6250 tonnes at 7.5m draft and can steam at 17kts.

The ship features a diesel-electric propulsion system, with six 2100kW generators providing the power. The vessel has a DP2 rating, with manoeuvring capability provided by the twin 3500kW main propulsion azimuthing drives aft, twin 1500kW forward tunnel thrusters and swing-up azimuthing thrusters of the same power also fitted forward.

Lifting capacity is impressive, with the main crane rated at 250 tonnes supported by two other deck cranes rated at 50 tonnes and 10 tonnes. Up to 2500 tonnes of cargo can be carried on the 1100m² deck.

The DNV-classed ship has accommodation for 140 people, and tanks for 1500m³ of fuel, 8500m³ for drill water/water ballast and 1100m³ of fresh water.

Originally formed in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2004, TSmarine completed a management buyout in November 2009 and is now wholly Australian owned. In addition to its Perth head office it has offices in Singapore and Malaysia. Its principal subsea services cover the life of an offshore field including construction support, rigless intervention and decommissioning.

Strategic to build more crew boats
WA-based Strategic Marine has been awarded a contract to construct three 28m crewboats, bringing the current order book to more than $US200 million.

The latest vessels will be built at the company’s Singapore yard and will be delivered to Indonesian company PT Baruna Raya Logistics in February, April and May 2011. PT Baruna Raya Logistics is a major operator of offshore service vessels with a fleet of about 60 vessels.

Strategic Marine’s Managing Director Singapore, Ron Anderson said: “The company is extremely pleased to be doing business with another repeat client and we are looking forward to working closely with Baruna Raya Logistics on their new-build program.

“Repeat business is extremely important to Strategic Marine as it reflects our commitment and quality we extend to our clients,” Anderson said. “It also follows on from the four 31m crewboats that Strategic Marine delivered to Baruna Raya Logistics in March 2009,” he said.

The 28m vessels will be designed by Strategic Marine and fellow West Australian company Southerly Designs. They will incorporate a central deckhouse with seating for 60 rig crew, have fixed-pitch propellers, reach 22kts and have 55m² of clear deck space.

Anderson said the company had a strong focus on new projects in several market sectors during the first half of 2010.

“Our current order book now stands at more than $US200 million and we have many new exciting opportunities on the horizon,” said Anderson.

“We have recently signed a contract to build four electric-powered water taxis at our Singapore yard and our Vietnam yard continues to steam ahead with all of its projects on track.

“Furthermore, we will be constructing a second 40m crewboat on speculation after the first 40m crewboat we chose to build on speculation was purchased by Tiong Woon,” he said.

Like the first 40m vessel, which will be delivered sometime in October, the second will incorporate a central deckhouse with seating for 50 rig crew and will reach speeds of 25kts. It will be a sister ship to the 14 delivered to a number of clients of the past five years.

Air Warfare Destroyer construction underway
Full production of Australia’s three Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) is now underway, with hull blocks being constructed at three shipyards: ASC in Adelaide, BAE Systems in Melbourne and Forgacs in Newcastle.

Each of the three ships will be made up of 31 blocks, with average dimensions of 15m x 12m x 9m and weighing around 200 tonnes. BAE Systems and Forgacs will produce 38 and 27 blocks respectively, while ASC will build 28 and integrate and consolidate all 93 blocks into complete ships at the South Australian Government’s Common User Facility. Forgacs is fabricating the blocks in the aft superstructure, while BAE Systems is producing the complex-shaped keel blocks. Completed blocks are expected to start arriving in Adelaide by mid-2011.

ASC managing director and CEO, Steve Ludlam said the simultaneous construction of blocks in multiple Australian shipyards reflected a truly national commitment to building the three AWDs.

“A critical part of ASC’s AWD bid in 2005 was to share block construction with other companies across Australia that have the capability to build blocks for three AWDs,” Ludlam said. “This vision is now a reality.”

More than 500 people are employed on this work across the three sites, with that number expected to increase to in excess of 1000 at peak production. Overall, more than 3000 people will be working to build the warships around Australia including about 200 apprentices who will join the project in the next few years.

The project is on track to deliver the first AWD, HMAS Hobart, in December 2014. HMAS Brisbane is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2016 and HMAS Sydney in mid 2017.

North Star points owners in the right direction
WA-based North Star Cruise & Ferry Consulting Services is close to completing its second major new-ferry construction program, despite having been in business since 2006.

Last year, the company was selected to act as Owner’s Representatives for The Government of Trinidad & Tobago’s Water Taxi Project after an international tender process. This project involves the construction of four 41m high-speed passenger catamarans.

North Star has been representing the owner throughout the build, trials and delivery of the vessels, which are being built at Austal’s yards in Tasmania and WA. They are scheduled to be delivered in September 2010, with part of North Star’s role being to ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions.

North Star was established in 2006 after recognising a need for supporting shipowners through the complex and time consuming process of procuring new vessels. The company’s personnel have more than four decades experience in shipbuilding as well as ship operations, which results in a comprehensive understanding of the issues encountered when implementing a procurement program.

Since its inception it has been involved with a number of projects including being selected to provide services for one of the largest aluminium vessel construction contracts ever written — Venetian Macau Resorts’ order for fourteen 47.5m fast passenger catamarans, which were built by Austal between 2006 and 2009.

For that project North Star was selected to provide services relating to the writing of tender documentation, assessing tender proposals together with Venetian’s purchasing staff, selecting suitable shipyards and negotiating the shipbuilding contract with the selected shipbuilder. Once the contract was signed the company represented the owner at the shipyard throughout vessel design, construction, testing, trials and delivery. In addition, it assisted with setting up the organisation responsible for operating the fleet of vessels in Hong Kong and Macau.

The company now has offices in Australia and Europe and offers its services to shipowners worldwide, regularly travelling to learn the operator’s needs firsthand as well as providing on-site presence at shipyards. Its focus is on commercial and private vessels and the scope of services is customised to suit each project. These services may include project viability studies, project management, owner representation and operational support.

Second generation Eco-Jet ferry delivered
Aluminium Boats Australia (ABA) has delivered its latest ferry, a 24m Eco-Jet commuter catamaran designed by Sydney-based One2three Naval Architects. Kurrowera I is the third of four vessels built for Bay Islands Transit Systems (BITS) services in Queensland’s Moreton Bay Marine Park. The first entered service in May 2009.

ABA says the vessels were custom designed and built for Moreton Bay’s environmentally sensitive waters, with particular attention to protecting dugongs and turtles in the shallows of the southern part of the bay, and deliver “an optimum solution for any area where there are shallow waters and an environment at risk”.

Director of Transit Systems Pty Ltd, owner of the BITS ferry service, Graham Leishman said: “The ferries have been designed to move at speed but in a way that simply pushes a turtle or dugong to one side rather than harming it.”

The 23.98m long, 6.24m wide waterbuses can carry up to 200 passengers on short trips in USL Code 1E survey, while delivering low fuel consumption.

“They are remarkably easy on the fuel because weight has been kept to an absolute minimum,” commented ABA director Roy Whitewood.

Like its sisters, Kurrowera I is powered by two Scania DI12 59M diesels, each with a rating of 331kW at 100 per cent MCR. Delivering swift acceleration they quickly work up to a service speed of 22kts and the vessels are notable for being the first to meet stringent requirements permitting them to run within their operational corridor inside the Moreton Bay Marine Park at maximum speed.

Steering and propulsion is provided by Hamilton HJ 364 waterjets connected to the Scanias through Twin Disc MG 5114 SC gearboxes. The waterjets are controlled using the HamiltonJet blueARROW electronic control system with its MouseBoat manoeuvring controller. An advantage of the waterjets is reduced draft, which is just 80cm fully loaded.

Several enhancements have been made to the original design as a result of operational experience with the first vessels. Chief among these is a new hull shape from One2three Design providing enhanced efficiency, as demonstrated by Kurrowera I being approximately 1.5kts faster than her predecessors with the same power.

From a passenger point of view the ferry is instantly distinguishable from its sisters thanks to enhanced external styling, larger boarding access ways, increased headroom in the fully composite cabin and larger windows creating an impressive sense of light and space.

Offshore milestones for HamiltonJet
The use of HamiltonJet waterjets in crewboats and fast supply vessels has increased markedly in recent years and this year the New Zealand manufacturer reaches some significant milestones for the use of its products in the offshore industry.

US boatbuilder Gulf Craft is currently installing the 100th HamiltonJet HM811 waterjet to be used in a crew/supply vessel. The boat is one of three 58m monohulls with five waterjets and 1300kW engines. Recent orders mean more than 120 HM811 waterjets will be in service with the offshore industry by the end of the year — 10 years after the first crew/supply boat with HM811 jets was launched.

Since then, the company has supplied it largest HM series model to a wide variety of crewboat builders and operators, including Midship Marine, Piriou, Horizon, Island Boats, Seacor, Bourbon/Surf, Fymac, Rigdon and McCall.

In total, HamiltonJet has manufactured more than 220 HM811 waterjets since the first were installed in a Canadian ferry in 1997. The majority have been quad installations, with a number of twins and triples as well as these new quin installations.

In the smaller HJ range of waterjets, the HamiltonJet HJ403 has become the workhorse in crewboats for the Bourbon Offshore Group. The French company has purchased more than 250 HJ403 waterjets for use in its international fleets of Surfer crewboats.

The HJ403 waterjet was introduced in 2003 to replace the HJ391, which was also used extensively by Bourbon. Since then it has become one of HamiltonJet’s most popular models, with more than 450 units manufactured and installed in a wide variety of workboats as well as pleasure craft.

10,000 up for Thrane & Thrane
Thrane & Thrane shipped its 10,000th Sailor FleetBroadband terminal just two-and-a-half years after Inmarsat's FleetBroadband service went live. According to the company, this positions it as the world's leading FleetBroadband terminal manufacturer.

“Sailor FleetBroadband has struck a chord with the maritime communications industry and the end user,” said Jens Ewerling, product-line manager, Maritime Satcom. “The diversity of the product portfolio has helped to establish Sailor as the FleetBroadband terminals of choice regardless of the size or type of vessel."

Thrane & Thrane was first to market following the launch of the Inmarsat FleetBroadband service in November 2007, with the Sailor 500 and 250 FleetBroadband terminals. The June 2009 launch of Sailor 150 FleetBroadband (pictured) expanded the portfolio, which now offers a terminal for all vessel types from small yachts and workboats through to offshore vessels, tankers and merchant ships.

Tough coating targets coal hold damage
International Paint has introduced Intershield 803Plus, a new cargo hold coating specifically designed to address the key issue of impact damage from the loading of dry bulk cargoes.

The company says the structural integrity of holds can be compromised, unless excellent coating protection is provided and notes the potential for significant coating damage to occur during loading.

This is particularly prevalent from the loading of coal by high-speed belt conveyor systems, leading to the phenomenon of ‘shooting’ damage in cargo holds, which may occur when loaders project coal at right angles to the bulkhead. The impact can fracture and detach coatings over a short period, leading to loss of steel protection and subsequent corrosion. Often these areas of damage are high on the bulkhead and are therefore difficult to repair in service.

Once suffering this form of impact damage, owners and operators are faced with more frequent repair, increased costs and potential downtime of their vessels.

Rob Taylor, Market Manager Bulk Carriers, International Paint said, “Shooting impact damage is a serious threat to the longevity of a cargo hold coating and recognising this, we have developed a product to exactly meet this market need.

“Intershield 803Plus has excellent impact resistance, offering the very best in protection against ‘shooting’ damage. It also provides superb general abrasion resistance, good corrosion protection, VOC compliance with 75 per cent volume solids, fast drying times and all-year-round workability. The product has a smooth surface for easy cleaning, is certified for the carriage of grain and is FDA compliant,” he said.

The product has been designed using a new test method that is able to replicate the in-service damage experienced in coal and iron ore carriers. Test results show that it consistently outperforms other premium cargo hold coatings, leading Taylor to comment that: “We regard Intershield 803Plus as our toughest ever cargo hold coating, which we believe will provide the ultimate defence against cargo hold damage.”

Wärtsilä and ABB technology to cut diesel emissions
Wärtsilä and ABB Turbo Systems are co-operating in a joint development programme for a new application of two-stage turbocharging on large diesel engines that is expected to contribute to reductions in fuel consumption and engine emissions.

Wärtsilä is focusing on developing advanced engine technology, which, with the turbocharger, is able to reach the highest possible performance and become a cost-effective commercial solution for its customers. ABB Turbo Systems is delivering the turbocharging technology with defined performance in terms of airflow, pressure ratios and efficiency.

In the new engine design, two turbochargers are arranged in series to generate increased air pressure, airflow and a superior turbocharging effect. This results in an efficiency rating of up to 76 per cent. Engine output and power density are expected to increase by up to 10 per cent, while fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced.

The significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions are the result of extensive joint testing of the two-stage turbocharging system on the Wärtsilä engine. The tests have taken place at Wärtsilä's test facility in Finland, and the targets for the development programme have been successfully met. Wärtsilä and ABB Turbo Systems are planning to initiate a major pilot project with a customer in the near future.

Photos: The Norwegian built Havila Phoenix has been chartered by Perth company TSmarine; Havila Phoenix can spin on a dime; AWD construction work at ASC; North Star played a key role in procuring a fleet of fast ferries to operate between Hong Kong and Macau; One2Three developed a more efficient hullform for the second generation ferry; The Kurrowera I is a new type of commuter ferry designed to push turtles and dugongs out of the way without harming them; Waterjets provide propulsion and steering; The Australian designed Seacor Cheetah utilises quadruple HM811 waterjets; Thrane & Thrane Sailor FleetBroadband; Intershield 803Plus after coal carriage; The turbocharging technology being tested on a Wärtsilä engine in Finland.