Innovative products and innovative service combine to optimise through-life costs
21/09/2006
Full cover, cranes and fittings packages for Seaspan feeder shipsEight 2,500 TEU containers ships on order at Yangzijiang feature shipsets of MacGREGOR lift-away hatch covers, GL cranes and fixed container fittingsEight 2,500 TEU geared feeder container ships (plus four options) on order at China Yangzijiang Shipyard will strengthen the fleet of Vancouver-based Seaspan Container Lines which has invested heavily in larger MacGREGOR-equipped Panamax and post-Panamax tonnage since 2000. The latest newbuildings are due for delivery from around mid-2008 through to third-quarter 2009. Capacity for 2,500 TEU containers is arranged on deck and in the holds which will be served by a MacGREGOR lift-away hatch cover outfit comprising 28 panels. A twin-panel set for No 1 hatch will provide an opening 12.64m long x 15.36m wide, while a triple-panel set for No 2 hatch yields an opening 12.64m x 20.36m. Triple-panel sets for Nos 3 - 10 hatches offer openings 12.64m x 25.35m. The hatch covers are designed to accept container stack loadings ranging from 60 tonnes (20ft units) to 100 tonnes (40ft units), depending on their location. Weathertight sealing between covers and coamings will be secured by rubber packing of the sliding type; sealing between the panels will be achieved by a double rubber lip with drainage. Replaceable-type cover support pads will be mounted in a housing welded under the covers, the material combination being plastic against a stainless steel mating plate. MacGREGOR will also supply the fixed container fittings. The ship will also be equipped with MacGREGOR container handling deck cranes, each shipset comprising three electro-hydraulic GL-type units with lifting capacities up to 45 tonnes at an outreach of 25m: two GL4525/4028/3629,6-2 units and a GL4525/4028/3630,3-2 unit (Press Release 30 August, 2006). Excellent control is assured by MacGREGOR Cranes CC2000 system which, via a laptop computer, can be easily adjusted for parameters such as speed and ramp times to optimise cargo handling. Stepless speed control secures swift and smooth crane movements; and hoisting, luffing and slewing can be executed at full speed and safe working load capacity at the same time. MacGREGOR taps extensive experience in evolving the optimum hatch cover and crane specification for a given project in handling diverse cargoes. Like other operators, Seaspan will benefit from MacGREGOR early involvement in its latest project, the single-source design and supply of key cargo handling elements and through-life servicing support. MacGREGOR lift-away hatch cover sets are already in service with or specified for 4,250 TEU, 8,500 TEU and 9,600 TEU ship series commissioned by Seaspan from Samsung Heavy Industries for charter to leading operators. [ends] For further information, please contact: Esko Karvonen, General Manager, Container Ships, Dry Cargo division Tel: +358 2 4121 314 Fax: +358 2 4121 390 E-mail: esko.karvonen@macgregor-group.com or  |