MacGREGOR specialists are dedicated to conversions demandTwo recent hatch cover orders required for tanker to bulk carrier conversion projects benefit from the unparalled expertise of MacGREGOR's specialist teams "Sparse availability of delivery slots, strong market demands and legislation changes have dictated a growing trend towards ship conversions," says Pertti Vilhonen, head of MacGREGOR's Major Project unit. "MacGREGOR has noted that this trend has been particularly prominent in the conversion of tankers to bulkers, mainly driven by increasing capacity demands for bulk carrier transportation and also a need for owners to rid themselves of single-hull tanker tonnage that will not be able to operate in EU waters from 2015. At the moment we have about 30 projects on order, including mostly single-hull tankers but also double-hull tankers." Conversion projects vary from 30,000 dwt to 300,000 dwt tankers, and drydocking duration varies from five to nine months depending on a ship's size. MacGREGOR's scope of delivery includes design, key components, steel structure and installation supervision of new hatch covers. MacGREGOR - part of Cargotec Corporation - has recently received two hatch cover orders for tanker-to-bulker conversions which are good examples of such projects. Kristen Navigation's 258,000 dwt tanker Astro Lupus is the third tanker conversion project for the same owner. Orders for the first two ships were placed in November last year: the 286,000 dwt Astro Leon will be redelivered during 3rd quarter and the 264,000 dwt Astro Luna during 4th quarter this year. MacGREGOR's scope of supply for Astro Lupus includes 10 pcs single panel weathertight weatherdeck side-rolling hatch covers operated by chain drive, with wheel lifters, manual quick-acting cleats, FlexSeal rubber packing and Flexipad bearing pads. The project will be completed early 2009. Also to be completed next year is the project to convert Italian owner Premuda's 94,000 dwt Four Springs. The scope of hatch cover supply by MacGREGOR includes weathertight weatherdeck side-rolling hatch covers for eight holds operated by Roll-Up-Roll lifting, with auto cleating and locking, rack-and- pinion drive, FlexSeal rubber packing and FlexiPad bearing pads. "We believe that our strength in these conversion projects is that we have a dedicated, special unit to prosecute them," Pertti Vilhonen says. "The team members possess the required know-how and also have the resources and capacity to conduct the work". The same specialist team has carried out about 400 conversion projects in relation to URS 30 regulation changes to date and this type of work still continues.  Capion: MacGREGOR hatch cover delivery for 260.000 dwt Sinocarrier at final stage of installation at Shan Haiguan shipyard [ends] For further information please contact: Pertti Vilhonen, Manager, Major Project Unit, Service Division Tel: 358 2 4121 360 E-mail: pertti.vilhonen@macgregor-group.com or MacGREGOR Group press office: Steve Labdon, MacGREGOR Group Media Representative Tel: +44 (0)20 8370 1740 Fax: +44 (0)20 8364 1331 E-mail: steve.labdon@j-l-a.com  |
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