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pace in recent years, the SSP is now coming into its own, bringing the con- cept of podded propulsion to new seg- ments of the market. Following the breakthrough order for a 5.1-MW unit on a 19,000-dwt Swedish petrochemical tanker newbuild in China, SSP podded electric drives have been selected by German TT-Line for its new class of Baltic ferries. They have also been specified for Costa cruise ship rebuild and COSCO heavy- lift vessel new-construction projects. The particular merits of the system in the context of efficient RoRo design have also been underscored by Fin- Chiles Offshore Files IPO Chiles Offshore LLC, a unit of off- shore oil exploration company Seacor Smit Inc., has filed for an initial public American Stock Exchange listing. The company predicted it will net about $ 135 million in proceeds from the share sale, which it plans to use to purchase or retire all of its currently outstanding senior notes. Chiles, which operates three of the seven ultra-premium drilling rigs in the GOM, also plans to use some of the money to fund a fleet expansion. Aker Wins $89M Contract Aker Finnyards and SeaFrance have signed a contract worth more than $88.9 million for the construction of a new car- passenger ferry for the Dover-Calais route. Touted as the fastest and largest vessel to ever operate on that route, the 607 ft. (185 m) ferry is scheduled for a September 2001 delivery. Able to trans- port 1,900 passengers and 700 cars at speeds of up to 25 knots, the vessel will reportedly the fastest of its kind operat- ing on its route; reducing crossing time to approximately one hour. Circle 13 on Reader Service Card PDVSA Close To LNG Deal Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) is preparing to sign an agreement with Enron to build the country's first lique- fied natural gas (LNG) export plant. Located in the eastern oil port of Jose, the $600 million facility will have an annual capacity of 2.1 million tons of LNG and should start operation in 2004. It will be the first LNG plant to be built in gas-rich Venezuela. Tidewater To Purchase PSV Tidewater has signed a letter of intent to purchase M/V Ace Navigator from the Sanko Steamship Co. of Tokyo, Japan for $22.5 million. Constructed in Octo- ber 1999, Ace Navigator is a UT 745 design platform supply vessel that is able to work in both harsh weather and deep water. Measuring 275 ft. (83.8 m), the vessel is rated at 9,600-bhp with full dynamic positioning capabilities. cantieri's nomination of the twin SSP units for a proposed new type of large passenger RoRo ferry. Unlike its contemporaries, SSP is based on a permanent-magnet motor (PEM), proven in naval applications. Heat generated inside the drive is trans- ferred direct to the surrounding seawa- ter, requiring the smallest possible void space within the stern section of the ves- sel. By contrast, pod systems using con- ventional electric motors require inter- nal air cooling, necessitating space for coolers in the after part of the hull. Harland & Wolffs order from Seamas- ters International of the Bahamas is sub- ject to intervention aid, financing and guarantees. The provisional agreement spans four vessels of the 6,500-dwt Atlantic 4000 class, formulated by Oslo-based SeaTrade, and carries options on fifth and sixth ships. The diesel-electric podded propulsion sys- tem is one contributor to the 15-20 per- cent improved fuel efficiency claimed for the Atlantic 4000 relative to compet- ing designs. The other main influences are reduced steelweight, optimized hull lines, and special load sharing software controlling the main engines. Foam Filled Marine Fenders Marine Guard The Ultimate Protector for Ships, Harbor Craft, Wharves & Piers. • Construction complies with United States Navy and Coast Guard Specifications. • Core consists of closed-cell, resilient, energy absorbing foam, covered with a protective, seamless polyurethane elastomer skin. Filament nylon tire cord reinforcement is continously wound in the skin for added strength and durability. Will not mark or scratch vessel hulls. • Constructed with integral swivel end fittings, internally connected with a heavy duty chain. • Easy to install with very little maintenance. • Light weight and extremely buoyant with a lower reaction force than either hard rubber or pneumatic fenders. (Almost 40% higher energy absorption than pneumatic fenders.) URETHANE PRODUCTS CORPORATION (800) 913-0062 17007 South Broadway, Gardena CA 90248, U.S.A. Tel (310) 532-3662 • Fax (310) 532-9884 Stocking Distributors: Waterman Supply Company 910 Mahar, Wilmington, CA 90744, U.S.A. 1-800-322-3131 Tel (310) 522-9698 • Fax (310) 522-1043 Anchor Marine & Industrial Supply, Inc. 6545 Lindbergh, Houston, TX 77087, U.S.A. 1-800-233-8014 Tel (713) 644-1183 • Fax (713) 644-1185 Circle 279 on Reader Service Card 11
