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Chemical Tanker Market Improves Evolution of Seaborne Trade of Chemicals 1982 1964 1988 1988 1990 1992 1994 Operating conditions in the chemical tanker market have improved dramatically in the past two years, according to a new report from Drewry Shipping Consultants, as spot freight rates on some of the key Atlantic and Pacific routes have risen by as much as 75 percent, coupled with a steep increase in contract rates. The recovery of the freight mar- ket has been led by a fundamental improvement in the relationship between supply and demand. To be specific, trade in organic chemi- cals has increased by as much as seven percent per year in the 1990s. Taken as whole, seaborne movements of organic and inorgan- ic chemicals, vegetable oils and fats, and some specialist products, have grown from 49 million tons in 1982 to an estimated 89 million tons in 1994 — equivalent to a 5.1 percent growth rate per year. Renewed growth in the world economy and new chemical plant capacity coming on line in the Far East have been two strong reasons for the underlying strength in ves- sel demand. Looking ahead, the Drewry report concludes that the level of economic activity will con- tinue to play a crucial role in shap- ing chemical tanker demand, as will the location of base chemical production capacity. On the supply side, the size of the total fleet with chemical carrying capacity, which today comprises U.S. yard looks to chemical tankers as launching pad Alabama Shipyard, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantic Marine Holding Co., has made tremendous strides in its push to become an inter- nationally viable builder of commercial ships. The yard's most recent upgrade includes the refurbishment of its 1,100 ft. (335 m) long x 226 ft. (69 m) wide erection area, an area which includes a 275-ton bridge crane and two 150-ton gantry cranes. The most significant news from the yard of late is, of course, the order for two 16,000-dwt IMO II chemical tankers — with an option for a third — from Denmark's Dannebrog Rederi. Construction on the first ship is slated to begin in June, with construction on the second scheduled to start in December. The ships are due for delivery in May and September 1997, respectively. Dannebrog, which was established in 1883, was granted a Title XI loan guarantee by the U.S. Maritime Administration for the project. The dou- ble hull tankers were designed by Skipkonsulent AS of Bergen, Norway. The ships will be approximately 472.4 ft. (144 m) long, 75 ft. (23 m) wide and 41 ft. (12.4 m) deep. Each will be classed to Lloyd's Register's high- est class: +A1 chemical tanker. Meeting the need Located on the Mobile River, across the river from Mobile, Ala., and 29 miles (46 km) from the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama Shipyard occupies approximately 150 acres of the 650 acres available on Pinto Island. Acquired by Atlantic Marine in 1989, the yard has been operating since 1916, building a variety of commercial and naval ships over the years, as well as barges, offshore drill platforms and semi-submersible drill rigs. The yard is able to build ships to a maximum size of 950 ft. (290 m) long by 160 ft. (49 m) wide. It has 496,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, 75,806 sq. ft. of covered warehouse space, as well as two finger piers with a total usable pier space of 3,998 ft. (1,219 m). Recent additions have focused on maximizing efficiencies to help the yard compete in the international market, and include a 90 x 400-ft. (27 x 122-m) panel line ship, which has a modified series arc submerged, one- sided butt welding station. This is capable of welding to 3/4-in. (19-mm) thick plates. Future expansion plans include: an enclosed paint and touch-up build- ing, set for completion this August; a new pipe fabrication facility, which was scheduled for completion last month; additional warehouse space; a parts shop (web line); and a bow and stern shop. For more information on Alabama Shipyard Circle 98 on Reader Service Card Alabama Shipyard-built Chemical Tankers Length o.a 472 ft. (144 m) Length b.p 439 ft. (133.8 m) Breadth, molded 75 ft. (23 m) Depth, main deck 41 ft. (12.4 m) Draft, design 28 ft. (8.4 m) Draft, scantling 9 ft. (8.7 m) GT 11,000 DWT 16,00 Cargo tanks 19,000 cu. m. Clean water ballast 7,850 cu. m. Fresh water approx. 200 cu. m. Lubricating oil approx. 50 cu. m. Main engines Wartsilo Propeller CP, 4-blade Work on the Dannebrog chemical tankers is set to commence soon at Alabama Shipyard. The yard is continuing an upgrading process which will help it reap dividends on this and future commercial work. 38 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News Ship design by Skipskonsulent AS ship design consultants.
