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March 2005 23 Malaysia. The 1,026 ton displacement vessel has 295 cu. m. of fuel tanks and 313 cu. m. of potable water. Transfer rates with a 50-m head are 75 cu. m. per hour for both water and fuel. The cargo deck is 208 cu. m. Propulsion power is provided by a pair of pair of Cummins KTA38-M2 main engines each produc- ing 1,200 bhp at 1,018 rpm and turning into Reintjes gears. Electrical power is provided by two Cummins-powered 150 kW generator sets. The Vanessa 3 is fit- ted with a Schottel tunnel-type bow thruster. The MARPOL compliant ves- sel has berths for 22 in a fully air condi- tioned accommodations. It has a 28-day endurance. Lightering Company Adds Power with New Build The booming Thai economy and the shallow waters of the Chao Phrya River combine to create a growing demand for lightering operations of bulk cargos in the Gulf of Thailand.. This demand is being met by the S. P. Inter Marine Co. Ltd of Bangpli, Samutprakarn near Bangkok. Originally a trucking and land based company, the firm moved into the marine logistics field in 1995 and now operates a fleet of 80 barges, 20 ocean going tugs, numerous little river tugs, and eight huge floating off-loading sta- tions. In January 2005 the company added the newest tug to its fleet. Tasked to relatively short tows from the off-load stations to the river mouth, the compa- ny's tugs are single screw. At 85 x 23 ft. (26 x 7 m) the latest vessel is the largest in the fleet. It is also the most powerful with an 850 hp Cummins KTA38 M0 turning a four-blade, 82-in. propeller through a 7:1 Twin Disc MG520-1 gear. S. P. Inter Marine operate its own ship- yard at Ayuthya about 50 miles up the Chao Phrya River from the Gulf. Here the company builds its off-loading sta- tions as well as tugs and barges. Adjacent to the shipyard is a transfer station for moving bulk cargos, such as soy beans and coal, from barge to truck or vice versa. S.P. Inter Marine Assistant Manager Krithep Suwajanakorn explains that the com- pany's emerging philosophy for con- struction of both new tugs and transfer stations: "If you buy second hand you get less support. We look for the long- term partnership with suppliers just as we do with our customers. In countries like Vietnam it can take up to 20 days to unload a Panamax bulker. We can do this in one or two days. With Panamax charter rates in the $30,000 per day range this represents huge savings to the shipper and a significant competitive edge. " To meet these demands the firm is using new MacGregor cranes on the transfer stations and new Cummins engines in their tugs like the recently launched Wattana #6. Circle 28 on Reader Service Card Name Captain Greg Hanchrow Title Director of Marine Operations Company Spirit City Cruises Web www.spiritcitycruises.com Fleet size: Spirit Cruises, LLC operates a fleet of 13 vessels in seven of America's most popular port cities, including Boston, Chicago, New York and Weehawken, NJ (New York Harbor), Norfolk, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. “When I look for new marine equipment, I refer to Maritime Reporter” Captain Greg Hanchrow Director of Marine Operations Spirit City Cruises New York, NY MR MARCH 2005 #3 (17-24).qxd 3/1/2005 12:18 PM Page 7
