Cargo gear, hatches and cranes
The equipment suppliers are extremely important to the bulk carrier industry. In this issue of Bulk Carrier Update we have visited quite a few. We have also included an article about the world’s most efficient bulk carrier yard, as well as the strongest bulk carrier for its size in a global context. Finally, we have visited a shipowner that uses the term ‘geared bulk carriers’ in the company name – without having any vessels that can be called bulk carriers in the traditional definition of the term.
DNV has been in shipping for close to 150 years, and we have never before had the chance of visiting so many highly specialised manufacturing environments at the same time. Quite frankly, we are very impressed. The cargo gear industry is, of course, highly specialised, as specialised cargo requires specialised solutions in close co-operation between owner, yard, equipment manufacturers and class.
A hatch cover is just a hatch cover, many may claim. Yes, the cover will have to be strong and the tightness is imperative to the seaworthiness of vessel. But that is not the whole story. The design and technical solutions will vary according to use and trade. For the future, more environmentally friendly hatch covers are being introduced – electrically operated with no need for hydraulic piping and fluids that can be spilled or even freeze up under extreme conditions.
We hope you will enjoy the industry overview you will get in this issue of Bulk Carrier Update. It will take you from Finland, Sweden and Canada to Japan. There are considerable investments in yards and manufacturing equipment, in addition to highly competent and skilled people.
We would like to thank MacGREGOR, TTS, Oshima, Tsuji, Fednav and Gearbulk for the assistance in making this issue of Bulk Carrier Update an interesting edition.
Ulf Freudendahl
DNV Business Director, Bulk Carriers
Date: 04 February 2008