The World’s Largest Circulation Marine Industry Publication • The Information Authority for the Global Marine Industry since 1939
January 2010
MARITIME REPORTER AND
ENGINEERING NEWS www.marinelink.com
Where to find business in 2010 & Beyond
Emerging Markets (HINT: One of them is pictured below)
Ship Repair & Conversion
Leaders Discuss Opportunities Government Update
Death of the Single Hull Tanker Eye on Design
VIRTUE: Boosting Role of CFD Five Minutes With
Sander van Oord, Damen + Marine Propulsion Updates + BLOGS MaritimeProfessional.com
Trinidad and Tobago
High Hopes for the Shipbuilding & Repair Sector The Trinidad and Tobago Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster, an initiative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) was formed in 2007 to plan and carefully develop this “new” area of maritime activity within our twin island country. International maritime and transport consultants Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS) and Global Insight were contracted by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT), through the MTI in September 2007 to undertake a comprehensive study on this sector. Initially the idea was tabled to build Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) carrier ships in Trinidad, as our country then and still today continues to be one of the main suppliers of LNG to the North American market. It was predicted that thousands of shipments would be required to lift these precious cargoes from Point Fortin for final delivery to various regasification terminals scattered along the eastern seaboard of the U.S. At the early stages of this consultation exercise, local stakeholders had different views about this concept, as they saw as a prerequisite Trinidad and Tobago nationals first needing to build their competencies and to form strategic alliances related to the building of these technologically sophisticated ships. One of the main recommendations to the consultants was initially to specialize in the construction and repair of smaller vessels, vessels less than 5,000 DWT, a range of vessels including water-taxis, fast ferries, inter-island cargo ships, anchor handling supply vessels, tugs and barges. In the last eighteen months, the T&T Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster which at present comprises some 25 local and foreign stakeholders has received various enquires from around the globe and these have been collectively estimated at TT$2.5 billion to date. These enquiries vary from shipbuilding, ship repairs and conversions and the establishment of new maritime service providers in Port of Spain. The cluster has also managed to attract a number of major global maritime players including, ASCO (British oil and gas logistic specialist), Det Norske Veritas (Norwegian ship certification), GAC (Dubai based logistics, shipping and marine services), Lloyd’s Register (London based ship certification) and Wärtsilä (well known Finnish ship design, ship propulsion and automation manufacturer). Amongst the local cluster stakeholders are Alstons Shipping Limited (Ansa McAl Group), Damus Group, Tracmac Limited (Division of Neal and Massy Group), local dealer for Caterpillar marine engines, Cantrex Limited Member of the Bhagwansingh Group of Companies which produces aluminium extrusion supplies for the construction, shipbuilding and repair industries and several others. In the 2010 Budget recently passed in Parliament, approximately $100 million dollars has been allocated towards the acquisition of two new harbor tugs by the National Energy Corporation (NEC) to be built by the Damen Shipyard Group. The government together with the maritime cluster, through the Shipbuilding and Repair Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited will be building, maintaining and repairing these types of vessels, as a result of this unique Public
Wilfred de Gannes – the author and S&R Deputy leader — stands in front the 70,912 dwt self-unloading Bulk Carrier MV “SOPOT” on dry-dock at Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad.
(Continued on bottom of next page) January 2010
www.marinelink.com
41
FEATURE
SHIP REPAIR & CONVERSION NOTES
From this Seat
Offshore LNG Regasification Terminal Conversion Project Drydocks World – Dubai said that work is underway on its first-ever Floating Storage Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) conversion project, known as the FSRU LIVORNO Project. The conversion of the LNG carrier, Golar Frost into an FSRU, is being handled by Saipem. The conversion includes fabrication and installation of structures such as turret mooring system, aft thruster compartment, foundations of cranes and loading arms, bilge keel and foundations for equipments. In addition, the unit’s external hull, deck and outfitting will be blasted and coated. A&P: Strong Forecast for 2010 A&P Group moves into 2010 with a strong order book for projects ranging from defense to sustainable energy. A&P was taken over last July by the Cardiff-based Bailey Group, headed by property developer and entrepreneur Paul Bailey. The group is branching into ‘green’ projects at Tyneside. Using an existing dry dock and two slipways it aims to strip – or reclaim – ships which at present are sent to dockyards in India.
The Repair & Conversion Silver Lining
(Photo courtesy of H.O. Bostrom)
Island Sky Modernization ALMACO won a contract from Salen Ship Management (SSM) to modernize the passenger areas on board M/S Island Sky. ALMACO will refurbish 27 Suites, 32 Cabins and the corresponding 59 Bathrooms, as well as public areas such as the Club, Library, Lounge, Restaurant, Purser’s Desk & Lobby, Corridors, Outdoors and Public Toilets. The refit will take place in May 2010.
SeaPost Pilot Chairs installed in helm work stations. (Photo courtesy of H.O. Bostrom)
According to leading marine seating manufacturer H.O. Bostrom, the ship repair and conversion sector has provided a steady stream of business during the past year, as shipowners use capital to upgrade existing vessels, particularly with regard to comfort and functionality of their modern bridge systems. Ship and boat owners understand the importance of a high-performance seat that can withstand the rigors of a ship’s command center in calm and extreme conditions alike. Recognizing that corrosion, vibration, and constant wear and tear in rugged work environments present constant challenges to seat performance, H.O. Bostrom’s in-house product development team has engineered corrosion-resistant, comfortable, and durable marine seating solutions tailored to the marine industry. The SeaPost Pilot Chair has been tested to ABS certification and IMO High Speed Code Annex 10 standards to ensure long product life. The SeaPost is also engineered to deliver optimum performance in ship com-
(Continued from previous page)
Private Partnership (PPP). In August 2009, another successful Maritime Mentorship Program was undertaken for a second year. This program was held during the vacation period and organized by the Business Development Company Limited (BDC), a state agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The aim is to encourage young men and women 15-17 years to seriously consider the maritime industry, including shipbuilding and repair as a rewarding career. Approximately 50 Mentees participated in this year’s shipbuilding and repair pres-
42
mand centers. Aside from a variety of seat adjustments, the SeaPost offers an optional IMO-certified, deck-mounted, modular, floor-track system to ease movement and offer varying degrees of travel between operation controls and monitors via its stainless steel, roller bearing platform. And to ensure corrosion resistance in saltwater environments, a five-step E-Coat and Powder Coat finish, fully certified to pass 1,000 hours of salt spray testing, is applied to all Sea Post adjustable chair pedestals and floor tracks. Ship owners looking to update their ship management systems in order to meet more stringent navigational and operational requirements can now equip their retrofitted vessels with the same high-quality seating systems typically specified for new build orders. Ship owners recognize that the safety and comfort offered by the SeaPost Pilot Chair serve as the ideal command post to complement ship-management systems upgrades. www.hobostrom.com
entation, which was oversubscribed. The program included local and foreign speakers on the maritime industry and visits to ports and shipyards. Already, plans are to expand this program in 2010 and to offer an internship to take these young graduates into an intensive period of learning and practical training at the main shipyard(s). www.tts-r.com
By Wilfred de Gannes – S&R Deputy Leader, T&T Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster, an initiative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Overhead view of one of the main shipyards, located in Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad.
Maritime Reporter & Engineering News