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FMC Wins Fourth Oil Tanker Contract FMC Corporation, Portland, Ore., received a contract for one more $17-million gas-turbine-pow- ered oil tanker to be built at their Marine and Rail Equipment Divi- sion in Portland. This brings the total ships being built at the divi- sion to four, with contracts totaling $70 million. The first tanker is scheduled to be launched in Febru- ary 1974, while the fourth will be chartered to Standard Oil Com- pany of California in early 1976. The FM'C Division, formerly Gunderson, Inc., brought the first shipbuilding to the Portland area since World War II, with this tanker project. The 35,000-ton tankers incorpo- rate innovative design concepts de- veloped by Chevron Shipping Com- pany (a subsidiary of Standard Oil) after several years of study. The hull design and gas turbine- electric power units combine to produce a saife, economical, envi- ronmentally sound tanker. Chev- ron officials believe these vessels will establish a precedent in U.S.- tanker design and operation. Construction methods are vastly modernized from the World War II system when steel was placed one piece at a time as the ship took form on the ways. FMIC con- structs steel modules weighing over 100 tons each and sets them in place with a giant crane. Modu- lar living quarters will be installed in the steel deckhouse to facilitate construction. The pilothouse will be equipped with the latest design navigational equipment. The hull on each tanker is 650 feet in length, with a molded breadth of 96 feet and a molded depth at the side of 50 feet. The design draft is 34 feet. 'Ship cargo will be divided into a tank layout in accordance with the latest re- quirements of IMCO, the inter- national maritime agency of the United Nations. FMC developed both hull and propulsion system details in con- sultation with Chevron Shipping Company, Nickum and Spaulding Associates — the naval architects, and General Electric—.the propul- sion system manufacturers. Chev- ron's new-design concepts, Which are embodied in these vessels, are creating considerable interest in the maritime industry. To handle expanded shipbuilding work, FMC acquired an additional 23 acres adjacent to its existing fa- cility in Northwest Portland, ac- cording to C. Bruce Ward, division manager. The company also in- vested in a $1-million 200-ton-ca- pacity whirley crane, a computer- operated burning machine for cut- ting metal plates, and new types of welding equipment. J.B. Allison & Assoc. Initiate A Financial Consulting Service J.B. Allison, president of J.B. Allison & Associates, Inc., finan- cial consultants, 1414 Dallas Fed- eral Savings Building, Dallas, Tex- as 75201, recently announced that a needed Consulting service has been instituted by J.B. Allison & Associates for the intermediate and smaller ship, tug, barge, and in- land and offshore drilling owners and operators considering lease fi- nancing of marine equipment. The service consists of analysis of the owner's requirements and recommendation, contact and ne- gotiations with leasing Companies and other financial institutions. A similar service is also avail- able to shipyards interested in their own leasing program or in programs available through nu- merous leasing companies. J.B. Allison & Associates, Inc. have been involved in the prepa- ration and negotiations fior Title XI mortgage guarantees under both lease and loan structures. Mar-Ten Marine Moves To New Offices Mar-Ten Marine Associates, Ltd. of Houston, Texas, the American operating organization of Martin Marine Co., Ltd. of Grand Cayman Island, has moved its offices to Ja- cinto Towers, 10202 East Freeway, Houston. Bounce Your underwater problems off one of our stainless steel props. We make our stainless steel propellers to stay down there and take it. Go the long count between costly haulouts. (Often 3 or 4 times longer than ordinary props.) What's our secret? Well, there's stainless — and there's Coolidge stainless. We use all electric furnaces to get an alloy that's cleaner, stronger. A steel that can really take it under water. Plus a totally modern scientific manufacturing process that turns out the best stainless steel propellers in the business. In sizes through 14-ft. diameter. And in 3-, 4- and 5-blade models. (Cast steel or bronze also available through 13-ft. diameter.) If you're tired of prop trouble every time you turn around, get yourself a Coolidge stainless steel propeller. And you've got yourself a real under- water champ. Coolidge Propeller Company, 1608 Fair- view Avenue East, Seattle, Wash. 98102. . Telephone 206/325-5100. Coolidge Propellers TURNING POWER INTO PROGRESS AROUND THE WORLD 30 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
