Intermarine heavy lifters have benefit of shallow draught

Intermarine in the US, as managing agent of Industrial Maritime Carriers, has confirmed that it is committed to an extensive newbuilding programme. The carrier has concluded agreements for the long-term charter of eight more newbuildings, ships which are being built by ENVC in Portugal, with the first expected to be delivered soon.

The first four ships in this E-class series are similar to the earlier C and D-class vessels but a little longer. This will provide a greater cargo carrying capacity totalling some 10,000dwt. To have dual 250 tonne cranes combinable for 500 tonne lifts, they will be named Industrial Eagle, Industrial Echo, Industrial Edge and Industrial Egret.

According to ENVC, the newbuilds will have a length overall of 139m, beam of 20m, and a cargo area divided into three holds, with a tweendeck, and are prepared for carrying general cargo, ISO containers and heavy loads of up 500 tonnes single weight.

The holds have a capacity of 15,150m³ (535,000ft³) with a free height of 12m. The tweendeck in number 2 hold may be located at three alternative heights; all levels will have flush-type container fittings. The hatch covers will be of lift-on/lift-off type, weathertight and operated by shore or ship-based lifting gear.

The following four ships (as yet unnamed) will be of 12,000dwt with dual 400 tonnes cranes combinable for 800 tonne lifts. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2010.

Speaking at the time that the order for the first batch of four ships was announced, Andre Grikitis, Intermarine president, said there was a demand for higher capacity cranes as the size of reactors, fractionators, and cracking towers had grown. “These newbuildings will have a slightly greater cargo and lifting capacity than our current ships to meet better these cargo projections, while retaining the shallow draught that allows us to enter smaller ports and undeveloped areas,” he explained.

The latest addition to Intermarine’s fleet – Industrial Dart – was delivered in mid-January. The vessel called at the port of Houston to join Intermarine’s fleet running to South America, and loaded project cargoes and containers for the north coast of Brazil and other places. Industrial Dart is the last of six Diamond class sisters having dual 250 tonne cranes that can be combined for up to 500 tonne lifts. With an overall length of 120m and beam of 20m, these ships have the same hull design as the seven Century class vessels also operated by Intermarine, but with enhanced cargo handling capability and increased lifting capacity. OSJ