Rickmers-Linie expand its fleet from 10 to 14
Rickmers-Linie, the Hamburg-based specialist in the global transportation of breakbulk, heavylift and project cargo, has increased from ten to 14 the number of multi-purpose heavylift newbuildings for its expanding liner service network.
The latest quartet has been ordered from Wuhu Xinlian Shipbuilding Co Ltd by Polaris Shipmanagement Ltd, a Rickmers Group company, and will be taken on long-term charter by Rickmers-Linie. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in December 2010 and all four should be in service by September 2011. The contract also includes an option for four additional vessels to be delivered in 2012.
“Since we launched our Round-the-World Pearl String service in 2003, demand for our scheduled liner services has grown rapidly, especially between Europe, India and the Middle East, Asia and North America” said Jan Boje Steffens, President & CEO of Rickmers-Linie. “These ships will enable us to meet our customers’ demands for space on our existing routes and allow us to look at new routes in the future.”
The newbuildings have been purpose-designed for the carriage of breakbulk, heavylift and project cargo. With a deadweight of 24,000 tonnes, an overall length of 175m and a beam of 26.5m, they will be fitted with variable height tweendecks for maximum cargo flexibility.
The vessels will be equipped with three cranes, one capable of lifting 100 tonnes and two 350 tonne units that can be combined to handle loads of up to 700 tonnes.
Service speed of the vessels will be up to 18 knots. Electronic control of the main engine reflects the latest in technological development for the reduction of bunker consumption and CO2 emissions, thus contributing to a more environmentally friendly propulsion system. Furthermore the vessels will be classed in accordance with the “Environmental Passport” standard.
The latest quartet has been ordered from Wuhu Xinlian Shipbuilding Co Ltd by Polaris Shipmanagement Ltd, a Rickmers Group company, and will be taken on long-term charter by Rickmers-Linie. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in December 2010 and all four should be in service by September 2011. The contract also includes an option for four additional vessels to be delivered in 2012.
“Since we launched our Round-the-World Pearl String service in 2003, demand for our scheduled liner services has grown rapidly, especially between Europe, India and the Middle East, Asia and North America” said Jan Boje Steffens, President & CEO of Rickmers-Linie. “These ships will enable us to meet our customers’ demands for space on our existing routes and allow us to look at new routes in the future.”
The newbuildings have been purpose-designed for the carriage of breakbulk, heavylift and project cargo. With a deadweight of 24,000 tonnes, an overall length of 175m and a beam of 26.5m, they will be fitted with variable height tweendecks for maximum cargo flexibility.
The vessels will be equipped with three cranes, one capable of lifting 100 tonnes and two 350 tonne units that can be combined to handle loads of up to 700 tonnes.
Service speed of the vessels will be up to 18 knots. Electronic control of the main engine reflects the latest in technological development for the reduction of bunker consumption and CO2 emissions, thus contributing to a more environmentally friendly propulsion system. Furthermore the vessels will be classed in accordance with the “Environmental Passport” standard.