Mitigating the threat

Saturday, December 19, 2009
By: Rondo Docille
Mitigating the threat
I was very interested to learn that shortly after the Maersk Alabama was a second time attacked by pirates, this time thwarted by armed security, the vessel made the news again. Now a number of crew, some wielding lawsuits, are lodging complaints against the master and former hostage turned national hero. This is an interesting turn of events for the ongoing story of the Alabama and worth paying attention to.

The seizure of the Maersk Alabama has had profound ramifications for the crew, the company and the industry. First of all it brought to light the hazards merchant mariners are facing at this very moment in the Indian Ocean and their limited options at self-protection when boarded by Somali militias. Until the Alabama was seized very little attention was being paid to this issue, especially by the media in the United States.

The event also precipitated a major reversal in the stance on arming merchant vessels from one of the largest shipping companies in the world. I remember reading somewhere about Maersk Line’s stance on arms the last time I went through the Gulf of Aden just as things were beginning to heat up. I knew that when ship’s were getting hit a couple hundred miles ahead and astern of us how much more comforted I would be with a few well trained and armed mercenaries standing watch instead of a can of pepper spray and an LRAD. It appears that the A.P. Moller Group now shares my sentiment.

Ship of the Day SAIPEM 7000

Ship of the Day



Saturday, December 2009
SAIPEM 7000

Saipem 7000Today's SotD is world's second largest crane vessel Saipem 7000 (IMO: 8501567, Port of Registry: Nassau, Bahama's) with a lifting capacity of 2 x 7,000 tonnes. Only Heerema's Thialf is larger with its lifting capacity of 2 x 7,100 tonnes, however the crane radius of Saipem 7000 grant a lifting capability of 14000 t at 42 meters while Thialf can only lift 14200 at 31.2 meters; for this reason, the Saipem 7000 retains the world lifting records. The Saipem 7000 is 198 metres long, has a free deck area of 9,000 sq. m. and a transit speed of 9.5 knots. The vessel is equipped with 10 azimuth thrusters for exact manoeuvring, ballast tanks with a total capacity of more than 100,000 cu. m. for lowering the vessel into its position and 2 twin Saipem 7000 model fully revolving bow mounted AMHOIST cranes. She provides accomodation for a maximum of 800 persons in 405 fully AC single or double cabins. The Saipem 7000 was previously known as the Micoperi 7000 and is currently owned by Saipem S.p.A, Italy. She was built in 1987 by Fincantieri, Italy.

The Saipem 7000 arrived last night at Keppel Verolme Shipyards, Rotterdam. She will stay in port for about 3 months.

Rolls-Royce Thrusters for Ultra-Deepwater Ships Published: December 19th, 2009 by Rondo Docille

Rolls-Royce Thrusters for Ultra-Deepwater Ships
Published: December 19th, 2009 by Rondo Docille
drillmax Rolls Royce Thrusters for Ultra Deepwater Ships

Since the upsurge in ordering of drillships, Rolls Royce has been successful in capturing nearly 90 per cent of contracts for thrusters for these high-specification vessels, which will use dynamic positioning to keep position while drilling in ultra deep waters. An example is the Stena Forth.

Many of the owners of this new generation of drillships have chosen Rolls-Royce again to meet their propulsion requirements because they have found the UUC series azimuth thrusters on their existing vessels to be efficient and reliable.

The favoured thruster type is the UUC range in various sizes as these are designed to be mounted and dismounted underwater without needing to drydock the vessel. This of course saves much time & expense when repairs are needed.

Samsung Heavy Industries is building many of these vessels. For example, the three vessel Stena Drill Max series for Stena Drilling all have six of the UUC 455 azimuth thrusters, each rated at 5,500kW. They work in conjunction with the vessel’s Class 3 dynamic positioning system. The recently launched first vessel, Stena Drill max, is to work in the Gulf of Mexico initially, but is also suited to harsh environments such as the Norwegian and Barents Seas. It can operate in up to 3,000 metres water depth.

open ducted thruster main tcm92 11213 Rolls Royce Thrusters for Ultra Deepwater Ships

Seadrill is building three drillships of a Samsung design with double derrick drill package. Rolls Royce is providing the thruster outfit; six azimuth units each accepting 4,500 kW and either operating in the DP 3 dynamic positioning system or giving a transit speed of 11.5 knots. The first of these drill ships, West Capella, is due to start operations in the first quarter of 2009.

Rolls Royce thrusters are also on order for other vessels at Samsung, including drillships for Pride International, Cardiff Marine, Saipem and Tanker Pacific Management.

Transocean has ordered four drill ships for operation in ultra deep waters from Daewoo (DSME) in Korea. Due to start operations in 2009, Discoverer Clear Leader and its companions are enhanced versions of Transocean’s Enterprise drill ships. The first three are scheduled for operation in the Gulf of Mexico and the fourth offshore Angola. All will have Rolls Royce azimuth thrusters; six units each with a total power of 6 x 5,500kW. A UUC thruster equipped drill ship is also on order at DSME for Taiwan Maritime Transport.

Also in Korea, Hyundai is building a drill ship for Global Sante Fe using Rolls Royce thrusters for propulsion and dynamic positioning. This will be an upgraded version of the existing C R Luigs and Jack Ryan vessels.

Apart from equipping drill ships, the UUC range of thrusters are in demand for propelling and positioning many of the semi submersible drilling rigs that are under construction, in some cases together with Rolls Royce mooring systems and Bergen engines.

Rolls Royce is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of azimuth thrusters. The propeller rotates 360 degrees around the vertical axis so that the thruster can perform both the propulsion and steering duties for a vessel, or positioning for a semi-submersible rig, drillship or FPSO.

Ultra deep water is generally considered to be depths of over 800m.