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Engineered Solutions "The Floating Volvo" HHI Builds Twin Engine V-Max VLCC Stena Vision ... The V-MAX Reality. Vision, a unique VLCC built by Korea's Hyundai Heavy Indus-tries Co., Ltd. (HHI) in that it features twin-engines and twin-pro- pellers, was recently christened at the Ulsan Shipyard. Concordia Maritime AB's new ultra-large 315,000-dwt VLCC was christened by Mrs. Karen Fidler, wife of the president of Sunoco Inc., the company that chartered the VLCC. Built for Concordia Maritime, of the Stena organization, the VLCC is a revo- lutionary type of crude oil carrier. The 1,102 ft. (336 m) long Stena V-Max design VLCC differs from other large tankers built in the world to date. In addition to double hulls, the VLCC has double, completely separate engine rooms, double rudders and double pro- pellers. This twin-engine configuration gives the VLCC substantial advantages since one main engine can be shut down for maintenance while the vessel contin- ues its voyage with the other. But these double functions represent an extra safe- ty feature, and provide the VLCC with maneuverability touted as far superior to that of other conventional VLCCs. "This ship not only has unique double hull design features, but is also equipped with two separate engines in two com- pletely separate engine rooms, two rud- ders and sets of steering gear, two pro- pellers and duplicate control systems. The V-MAX is thus designed to over- come any single type of system failure — a yet unrivalled active safety capabil- ity which we consider just as important as the passive safety of a double hull," said Lars Carlsson, Concordia's man- aging director. "Statistically more than 30 percent of serious tanker accidents are caused by vessels losing control due to machinery and system failures. This risk is all but eliminated in the V-MAX. Using only one of its twin engines, the vessel can maneuver during a period of minimum 72 hours at a speed of at least six knots in a head sea and gale force winds of Beaufort force 8. This reserve of power makes it the first VLCC tanker to satisfy Det Norske Veritas' Redundant Propulsion Separate (RPS) require- ments." In terms of maneuverability the V-MAX reportedly performs consider- ably better than a conventional modern tanker. At a maneuvering speed of eight knots, the vessel's turning circle is tighter than that of a Suezmax of half its size. The new VLCC — with a service speed of 16.9 knots — also employs an exceptionally beamy, shallow-draft hull form. The vessel has a beam of 229.6 ft. (70 m), compared to the normal 190-197 ft. (58-60 m) one for VLCCs. These fea- tures make it possible for the VLCC to offer a 30 percent higher loading capac- ity on a limited draft than more conven- tional VLCCs. The second of the two- ship order is scheduled for delivery in June. As navigation errors account for about a third of all tanker accidents, great On the bridge... CM-93/3" Or in the office... OceanView | = C-MAP has you covered! == C-MAP BSSMM3SHI THE ELECTRONIC CHART STANDARD For more information please contact C-MAP/Commercial at 508.477.7537 or visit www.c-map.no C-MAP has combined the world's most complete vector chart database, CM-93/3, with a new software application, OceanView. Together they provide the solution for effective vessel safety and management operations. We've got you covered with these advantages: Global coverage with over 14,000 vector charts sailing onboard thousands of ships worldwide. "f- Replaces paper charts in the office with powerful, intelligent vector electronic charts. ^ Route planning with easy ship-to-office, office-to-ship transmissions. ^ Real-time chart updating at the push of a button. Advanced publishing features, ^f- 3D profiling capabilities. Circle 219 on Reader Service Card 12 www.maritimetoday.com Maritime Reporter & Engineering News
