The DNV-classed Spar Lyra was the first Diamond 53 bulk carrier design vessel delivered in 2005. So far there are 44 such bulk carriers on order – nine of them already trading. The Diamond 53 design is a new design, new-generation, geared, wide-hatched, 54,000 dwt Handymax Bulk Carrier with a double hull, five cargo holds, end-folding hydraulically operated hatch covers and four 36-ton level-luffing cranes.

“We have designed a vessel which will comply with all present and future known requirements regarding bulk carrier strength and bulk carrier safety,” says Michael H. Schmidt, the project manager for the Diamond Design at Danish engineering firm Carl Bro. “This is the bulk carrier for the future, in that we have a design which accommodates the latest trends and developments in the Handymax bulk carrier trade. “We believed the market was ready for a future proof bulk carrier, which 44 firm orders in 3 years signed up by first class owners clearly
confirm,” adds Schmidt.
“Diamond 53 has been designed by Carl Bro following extensive consultations with DNV for structural and regulatory issues and with Graig from an operational point of view to secure a balance between theoretical and commercially practical aspects,” according to the Carl Bro brochure on the Diamond 53. “The current nine trading newbuildings were built at Chengxi and New Century Shipyard in China for European owners, but Vietnam will also become an important country for newbuildings,” says Schmidt, adding that four years ago Carl Bro opened a design office in Shanghai to support our activities in the Far East.
When we asked Schmidt why Carl Bro used the double hull solution since this is not a mandatory requirement, he pointed out that this greatly improves the safety and the operational effectiveness of the bulk carrier and will provide ship owners with long-term benefits. “I’m 100 per cent convinced that this is a more efficient and safer ship than a single skin one,” says Schmidt. “It’s a sophisticated vessel in which we’ve emphasised economical operation and maintenance. The double side provides flush holds to ensure fast and easy discharge and cleaning. The hatches are wide and there are four sets of luffing cargo cranes also prepared for grab operations. The design facilitates a quicker turnaround in ports, giving owners a competitive advantage. We’ve also taken into consideration the newbuilding requirements which will come into force in 2007, as the heavy fuel oil is stored in deep tanks in the engine room with cofferdams towards the ship side to minimise the risk of oil spill.
“We have a strong ship-design environment here in Copenhagen due to our shipbuilding traditions, which go back to the days of the Burmeister & Wain shipyard, where I worked in the design department until the yard shut down in 1995.”
Carl Bro is an international engineering and design company with some 3,000 employees world wide. The Copenhagen office has the Ship Design department, which has some 25 employees. The list of Diamond design features is too long to reprint here, so please visit www.carlbro.com for further information.

Date: 07 February 2008