NEW VESSELS

The Hussein Tantawy being launched at Royal IHC’s Krimpen a/d Ijssel Shipyard

ROYAL IHC LAUNCHES LATEST SCA CSD

During late October, the CSD Hussein Tantawy was launched at Royal IHC’s shipyard in Krimpen a/d Ijssel. The owner is Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority (SCA). The Hussein Tantawy is one of two vessels currently under construction at Royal IHC for SCA. Her sistership, Mohab Mameesh, was launched in May and is expected to go on sea trials at the end of this year. They are among the largest vessels of their kind and were both specifically designed by Royal IHC in close co-operation with SCA.

Like the Mohab Mameesh, the Hussein Tantawy is a 29,190 kW heavyduty rock CSD and will be used to maintain and improve the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean and Red Sea. The vessel, characterised by its long slender shape and high spud towers, will have an overall length of 147.4 m and provide a maximum dredging depth of 35 m. Equipped with one submerged and two inboard dredge pumps, the installed cutter power will be 4,800 kW.

“We are delighted that our close partnership with SCA has resulted in the launch of these two powerful and impressive vessels. They are testimony to the high level of co-operation between our two companies, as well as the determination, dedication and professionalism of all involved, to have delivered on time and to specification, in these most challenging of times,” says Royal IHC’s CEO Gerben Eggink.

BOSKALIS FINANCES NEW MEGA SUCTION CUTTER DREDGER

Holland’s Boskalis has financed its mega suction cutter dredger (CSD) Krios through an innovative Export Credit Agency (ECA) covered loan. This marks the first ECA insured financing of its kind in the Netherlands. With this €121m facility, Boskalis has refinanced a substantial part of the construction costs of the Krios. The ECA covered loan under the domestic cover arrangement was introduced by the Dutch Ministry of Finance late 2019. The arrangement targets indirect export, which in Boskalis’ case is a newly built dredging vessel that will be deployed on projects outside of the Netherlands. The Krios is currently being built at Royal IHC in the Netherlands.

The loan provided by ING and Rabobank was refinanced under a so-called CIRR (Commercial Interest Reference Rate) and is covered by Atradius Dutch State Business. The tenor of the facility is twelve years, includes linear redemption and carries an all-in financing cost of slightly less than 1%. Besides the attractive all-in rate, the long duration of the facility matches extremely well with the long economic lifetime of the vessel. Furthermore this new loan complements the current financing structure of Boskalis resulting in a well-spread and long-dated profile. Besides this 12 year facility, Boskalis has US$325m outstanding in US Private Placements, which mature in July 2023 and has a €500m Revolving Credit Facility maturing in April 2025, currently undrawn.

Early October last year (2019) saw the launch of the Krios at Royal IHC’s Kinderdijk Shipyard. During 2017, IHC was awarded a contract for the design, construction and delivery of a sister vessel of the CSD Helios, which was built at Croatia’s Uljanik Shipyard prior to being outfitted at IHC’s shipyard in Kinderdijk. The Krios recently underwent sea trials and dredging tests took place in Rotterdam. The Krios, a self-propelled mega CSD, will have a total installed power of 23,700 kW and can reach a dredging depth of 35 m.

ABS TO CLASS THE LARGEST SELF-PROPELLED US HOPPER DREDGE EVER ORDERED

The largest self-propelled US-flagged TSHD ever ordered is to be built to ABS Class, she will be USbuilt, classed, flagged and manned. Seattle-based Manson Construction Co has commissioned Keppel AmFELS to build the 15,000 m3 TSHD dredge, Frederick Paup, in Brownsville, Texas. The 128 m (420 ft) long x 24.68 m (81 ft) wide dredge, which will be US flagged, is expected to be fully operational by 2023. She will have a draught of 8.69 m (28.5 ft).

“We are pleased to be partnering with Keppel AmFELS, due to their impressive vessel construction capabilities. Their value proposition is strengthened by our shared focus on safety,” said John Holmes, Manson Construction Co. president.

“ABS is highly experienced at supporting delivery of both Jones Act vessels and complex, specialist maritime projects, such as this,” said Arinjit Roy, ABS Vice President, North America Regional Business Development. “We are proud to work with Manson and Keppel AmFELS to facilitate delivery of this landmark vessel to ABS class.”

“This dredge is the culmination of years of work by our dedicated team, and I am honoured to bear its name,” remarked the dredge’s namesake, Manson’s Chairman Frederick Paup. “We are proud that it will be US built, US flagged, and will sail with US crew, and will support the US Army Corps of Engineers’ mission of keeping the marine transportation highway open throughout the US.”

Mohamed Sahlan Bin Salleh, president of Keppel AmFELS, added, “We are pleased to be selected by Manson Construction Co to build the largest self-propelled US hopper dredger. It highlights the capabilities of our shipyard to build an array of vessels for the Jones Act market. This project will be supported by our highlyskilled local workforce and suppliers across the US, including ABS, with whom we have a longstanding relationship.” Seattle-based Manson Construction has awarded a contract to build the biggest hopper dredge ever built in the United States.

Manson Construction has been in business since 1905 constructing jetties, wharves, bridges and outfalls - performing hopper, clamshell and pipeline dredging and providing offshore operations. The company currently employs 800 people across North America.

Manson Construction currently has a fleet of four TSHDs – the 3,712 m3 196-built Bayport, the 1,529 m3 1996-built Westport, the 3,058 m3 1983-built Newport and the 10,321 m3 2006-built Glenn Edwards.

IMTRA SUPPLYING THE PILOT BOAT INDUSTRY

US-based IMTRA Corp has announced that it has recently been selected by multiple pilot boat organisations to supply equipment for new builds and retrofits. Pilot associations around the country chose IMTRA for their high-quality products and exceptional support.

The products selected include DHR navigation lights, which are easy to install and fully serviceable, high-powered Offshore Series deck lighting, ideal for increasing visibility and the safety of the crew, Norsap chairs are ergonomic, great for extended missions and custom-built to meet the precise needs of each pilot organisation and the highest-quality windshield wipers that are designed for continuous, heavy-duty use and vital for the conditions these mariners must face.

“Pilots face one of the most challenging and demanding jobs in the marine industry,” said Alex Larsen, vice president of commercial sales, IMTRA. “They are on call 24 hours a day, rain or shine to safely guide in cruise ship passengers and billions of dollars-worth of cargo to some of the busiest ports in the world. We are honoured to be trusted by these discerning individuals.” Recent projects include: • The Brazos Santiago Pilots chose Exalto wipers and DHR navigation lights for its 19.5 m (64 ft) Metal Shark. Brazos Santiago Pilots are responsible for the Port of Brownsville and Port Isabel in Texas. • The Charleston Branch Pilots Association in South Carolina recently refitted its vessels Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter with DHR navigation lights and Offshore Series LED deck lights. • The Lake Charles Pilots responsible for the busy Calcasieu Ship Channel in Louisiana selected Offshore Series LED deck lights for its vessel the Cameron Pilot II . • The Los Angeles Pilot Service chose Libra doors, BCM and IML interior and courtesy lighting, as well as Offshore Series LED deck lights and Exalto wipers for their two new 17 m (56 ft) Vigor pilot boats. • The Association of Maryland Pilots has

commissioned two new vessels from GladdingHearn to be delivered in late 2020 and early 2021. These vessels will include Norsap chairs, Offshore Series LED deck lights, DHR navigation lights, Exalto wipers and BCM interior lighting. • Sabine Pilots are serving the shipping industry and the public ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange, Texas, as well as the private oil terminals and the industrial complexes of Southeast Texas. They have chosen Norsap chairs, DHR navigation lights and searchlights, highoutput engine room lighting and Decca straightline wipers for their new Breaux’s Bay Craft 25.9 m (85 ft) boats, expected to be delivered later this year. • The San Francisco Bar Pilots updated their pilot vessel Drake with DHR navigation lights. The San Francisco Bar Pilots are tasked with safely and efficiently navigating the world’s largest ships through 257.5 kms (160 miles) of North America’s most challenging waterways. • The Southwest Alaska Pilots Association has updated the pilot vessel Emerald Island with Norsap chairs. The Association is charged with the challenging task of the safe navigation of vessels on the waters of Icy Bay, Prince William Sound, Resurrection Bay, Kenai Fjords, Cook Inlet, and the Kodiak Island Archipelago. • The Tampa Bay Pilots Association chose DHR navigation lights, Offshore Series LED deck lights, high-output LED engine room lights, Norsap chairs, Exalto wipers and an assortment of interior and chart illumination for its 16.5 m (54 ft) vessel. Its area of responsibility includes the ports of Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Manatee. • The Virginia Pilots Association selected Norsap chairs, Offshore Series LED deck lights, DHR navigation lights and Exalto wipers for upgrades to its vessel Hampton Roads and a new vessel being built by Gladding-Hearn to be delivered later this year.

“When it came time to update our equipment, we immediately went to IMTRA,” said Leslie Head, station manager, Tampa Bay Pilots Association. “Our experience with the team, from technical support to customer service and shipping has always been top-notch. We are confident that the products we installed will meet our needs for years to come.”

An IMTRA bridge

STRATEGIC MARINE SECURES NEWBUILD CONTRACT WITH WEM MARINE

Singapore’s Strategic Marine has clinched a newbuild contract for two 27 m Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), complete with comprehensive financing solution for WEM Marine. The contract includes an arrangement with financial investors providing WEM with an end-to-end package from shipbuilding construction financing to post-delivery financing. WEM is a UK based OSV provider with a growing fleet of vessels servicing the offshore wind energy sector. This is its first order with the Strategic Marine Group.

Having been acquired by new investors in May 2019, Strategic Marine has unveiled a full suite of financial services to provide a seamless transaction for its customers. The new financing solutions offered to WEM include construction finance, leasing option arrangements and investor equity funding with flexible purchase options.

“We are delighted with this new partnership with WEM as it is a significant milestone for us in building up our presence again in the renewable energy sector. The last 18 months have been an exciting journey as we have reconnected with many of our old customers who have welcomed us back.

“With our superior technical expertise and experienced team in place, we are confident of delivering quality offshore support vessels to service the growing renewable energy market,” said Strategic Marine’s CEO Chan Eng Yew. “This is also the first time we can offer

comprehensive and flexible financial solutions in conjunction with our newbuild contracts which has been very well-received. We understand that securing financing for offshore assets in this economic climate is quite challenging. However, for qualified operators, we see this as an opportunity to deliver additional value and can certainly bridge that gap for them.”

The CTVs will be built in Singapore and are expected to be delivered by May 2021. The 27 m crew transfer vessels have been designed to meet the specific requirements of WEM who intends to deploy the vessels in European waters. The vessels are powered by two Caterpillar C32 engines driving fixed pitch propellers providing a robust and efficient propulsion system. 24 technicians and three crew can be comfortably accommodated on-board and personnel transfer to the wind turbines is facilitated by a patented active fendering system.

WEM Marine’s Managing Director David Ford said, “Strategic Marine is well known for building industry leading CTVs for the offshore wind industry and throughout our dealings with them, they have demonstrated the highest level of professionalism so we are pleased to award them the contract. As the demand for clean energy grows, so does our need to invest in future-ready OSVs which addresses energy efficiency and emissions head-on.”

SCHOTTEL ECOPELLER TO BE INSTALLED IN INSPECTION VESSEL FOR THE FIRST TIME

SCHOTTEL’s highly efficient EcoPellers will propel a new fishery inspection vessel ordered by the governmental Danish Fisheries Agency and under construction at Hvide Sande Shipyard. Beyond

this, one SCHOTTEL Rim Thruster will provide maximum manoeuvrability and ensure lowest noise levels at the same time.

The new vessel will be driven by two SCHOTTEL EcoPellers type SRE 360 CP (1,500 kW each) featuring a propeller diameter of 2.3 m. Latter ones will be driven by electric motors. The thrusters allow economical operation of the newly built vessel at a free running speed of 17.5 knots. Thanks to the SRE’s outstanding overall propulsion efficiency and coursekeeping stability, it is characterised by low fuel consumption, resulting in reduced operating costs and reduced emissions.

The 64 m long and 11 m wide newbuild will be equipped to deal with future control challenges and to meet stringent environmental and emissions requirements (Tier III). Accordingly, the main propulsion units feature the patented, DNVGL type-approved SCHOTTEL LeaCon sealing system. This non-oil-to-water seal prevents water from entering the gearbox and, more importantly, oil from escaping into the seawater.

To further enhance manoeuvrability, the new vessel will be equipped with one SCHOTTEL Rim Thruster type SRT 1000 (315 kW) in the bow. The rim thruster is a quiet, space- and weight-saving thruster that converts electric power directly into propulsion. The SRT is extremely eco-friendly, as it operates without oil-based consumables. Instead, the bearings are lubricated by water.

Besides its main purpose as fishery inspection vessel for the North Sea and Skagerrak area, the new vessel is designed to meet future inspection challenges, for example for the operation of large drones. It will also be able to provide service functions, such as emergency towing assistance, salvage operations, and surveys.

It is expected for delivery by summer 2022 and will replace the existing Vestkysten which has been in operation since 1987.

Besides its main purpose as fishery inspection vessel for the North Sea and Skagerrak area, the new vessel is designed to meet future inspection challenges, for example for the operation of large drones

THE NORWEGIAN NAVY AWARDS CONTRACT TO MARITIME PARTNER

Norway’s Maritime Partner, Ålesund, has entered into a contract with the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNN) to build and deliver seven boats to the Norwegian Coast Guard. The boat type will be called Seabear 23 MKIV and is a new model in Maritime Partner’s range. The contract is part of the renewal programme in the Coastguard. The design draws on the qualities and performance from the larger Seabear 25, which you find onboard most of the Navy’s vessels.

Seabear 23 will be multi-functional and is built for frequent use in all kinds of weather. The boat is designed to perform all operations as safely and comfortably as possible, while maintaining high speed and manoeuvrability. The boat will be used as a workboat, for inspections, rescue operations, patrols, and several other missions. So, in many ways it is the spearhead of the mother vessel to handle its tasks says Arne Dybvik, Director Marketing and Sales at Maritime Partner AS.

Seabear 23 replaces the original boats which were delivered by Maritime Partner when the coastguard-vessels were built. By making a smaller version of Seabear 25, you get a greater similarity in the equipment used on the different vessels. This simplifies operation and training for both the crew and those who do maintenance.

Seabear 25 has been used by the Norwegian Navy for over 30 years and has been continuously developed together with the users. It is now one of the best of its kind, and this knowledge is to be transferred to the smaller model. Seabear 23 will be an important addition to the line-up in Maritime Partners model range. It is an excellent alternative for other countries’ defence forces that do not need the larger and heavier Seabear 25.

The contract also includes options for the delivery of two additional boats, and all boats will be delivered before the summer of 2021. With this, Maritime Partner has delivered and on order 117 boats to the Norwegian Armed Forces, says Henrik Myklebust, Area Sales Manager at Maritime Partner AS.

Maritime Partner designs and build a range of boats from 5 to 25 m - primarily high-speed mono-hulled vessels for offshore rescue and workboats, SAR, patrol, tourism and other types of boats for commercial and governmental users. Boats are built in aluminium and originate from Norway. More than 2,200 boats have been delivered over the last 25 years.

TEESPORT INVESTS IN PILOT VESSEL TO SUPPORT FUTURE TRADE GROWTH ON THE RIVER TEES

PD Ports, owner of Teesport and legal guardians of the River Tees, has welcomed the arrival of a new £1.35m pilot vessel, Stainsby, to its fleet. The state-of-the-art Stainsby will replace the Coatham

(Left to right) Maurice Brooksbank, Mia MacDonald, Frans Calje and Andrew Ridley

PD Ports, owner of Teesport and legal guardians of the River Tees, has welcomed the arrival of a new £1.35m pilot vessel, Stainsby, to its fleet. The state-of-the-art Stainsby will replace the Coatham pilot vessel, who will now find a new home at the Port of Tyne after racking up an impressive 1.29 kms (800,000 miles) servicing the River Tees over a 20-year period.

PD Ports CEO, Frans Calje, said, “As the legal guardians for the River Tees, our primary job is ensuring safe navigation for vessels. It is our duty to ensure the river is managed safely and effectively when fulfilling its potential to support future trade growth across the Tees Valley and the UK as a whole.

“Together with fellow businesses along the river, Teesport already contributes in excess of £1.4bn to the economy each year. This investment will enable Teesport to continue servicing the river and the region as we secure the Tees Valley in pole position for international trade growth opportunities.”

At the forefront of tackling climate change, the Stainsby, which can travel at speeds of up to 24 knots, also boasts a low emission engine to help keep fuel consumption and environmental impact as low as possible. The vessel also features touch screen navigation and dynamic shock monitoring that will ensure safety of the crew in all weather conditions meaning that the Port, and the river, can remain operational at all times.

Paul Brooks, Harbour Master, said, “The arrival of the Stainsby means that we have the best technology, built to the highest engineering standards, which will provide a safe and stable platform for pilots and keep Teesport open for business. “The pilot vessels, alongside our dedicated crew, are instrumental in keeping the Port operating 24/7, 365 days a year, no matter what challenging conditions we are faced with.”

In its role as the Statutory Harbour Authority, PD Ports is responsible for the safe navigation of vessels, maintenance and management of the river. The port operator is one of the largest employers in the region, attracting over £1bn of investment and creating 2,500 direct jobs in the past decade.

AKER ARCTIC DESIGNS NEXT GENERATION SWEDISH AND FINNISH ICEBREAKERS

Finland’s Aker Arctic Technology Inc, the Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (FTIA) have signed a contract for the development of new icebreakers for demanding Baltic Sea escort operations. Aker Arctic will develop a next generation icebreaker design that is capable of assisting larger merchant ships, incorporates latest environmental technologies, and are ready for future fossil-free fuels.

In the process to design a new generation of icebreakers, the emphasis is to find solutions to maintain the service level as the operating environment changes. The size of merchant vessels entering Finnish and Swedish ports is growing, and increasing environmental

requirements gradually limit the engine power of the vessels. The growing size of vessels that need assistance and the weakening of their abilities to handle ice-covered waters make it difficult for vessels to pass through ice masses in challenging ice conditions in the Baltic Sea, which increases the need for icebreaker assistance.

“Our foreign trade and competitiveness are based on year-round security of supply. The stocks of import and export logistics are largely located in moving ships. An adequate level of assistance available from icebreakers is a prerequisite for ensuring that the raw materials and different products are in the right place at the right time. New types of solutions are expected from this design project to respond to changes in the operating environment as well as to maintain an adequate level of service also in the future”, says Kari Wihlman, Director-General of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.

“The Swedish industry is dependent on icebreaking in the Baltic Sea up to 130 days a year. Our current fleet is old with increasing needs of repairs. Therefore we very much look forward to the design of the next generation of icebreakers to service larger ships in a fossil free environment”, says Katarina Norén, Director-General of the Swedish Maritime Administration.

Solution to the future icebreaking needs the design process starts with research and evaluation on alternative icebreaker concepts. The new icebreaker is required to be able to assist ships with 32 m beam. Cost-effective operation, low life-cycle costs, the transition to fossil-free fuel by 2030 and the reduction of CO2 emissions are also important goals.

Reko-Antti Suojanen, Managing Director of Aker Arctic commented, “This new design will represent a completely new generation of icebreakers. It will incorporate design, construction and operational experience from existing Baltic assistance icebreakers as well as our other icebreaker designs. As the operational requirements and environmental conditions are changing in the Bothnian Bay, we will work closely with the Finnish and Swedish operators to jointly develop a solution that best answers to the future icebreaking needs. With an operational lifetime spanning half a century, the new icebreaker must be designed to comply with future emission goals.

“Responding to this major technological challenge today will require us to apply the full extent of our icebreaker design expertise as well as to utilise the latest environmental technologies developed by the maritime industry. The design goals of this project are ambitious, and even though we have just designed icebreakers capable of reaching the North Pole, we consider this new icebreaker to be the most challenging design task we have ever faced.”

A concept will be selected in March when the first cost estimate for the construction of the icebreaker is available. After this, the focus will be on the design details and construction specification, which will form the basis of the shipyard tendering process once a decision to build the icebreakers is made.

The Aker Arctic test tank in Helsinki