Behind the development of the MAX concept is a need for vessels to operate in waters and ports with draught limitations while carrying substantially more cargo than had previously been possible. To meet this need, the vessels designed according to the MAX concept are much wider than other vessels in the same size class. Their larger beam gives them a much larger loading capacity without affecting their draft. The unique design of the hull and the divided stern give both fuel economy and speed characteristics that are as good as or better than standard tonnage.
The MAX concept has been developed in close co-operation with Stena Bulk, Stena Teknik and Northern Marine Management. Since the project began at the end of the 1990s, three ship types have been produced.
The V-MAX tankers Stena Vision and Stena Victory were the first to be built in accordance with the MAX concept. These 312,600 dwt VLCCs were delivered in 2001. Their design gives them lading capacity that is 20 to 40 per cent higher than a conventional VLCC and 70 to 100 per cent higher than a Suezmax tanker. The shallower draft enables the vessels to call at ports that were previously limited to Suezmax tonnage.
Concordia Maritime’s P-MAX tankers combine transport economy and flexibility with excellent safety standards. Thanks to the hull design, the vessels can carry about 30 per cent more cargo at little extra cost and have been designed to transport both crude oil and refined products. Effective tank cleaning and the design of the cargo tanks mean that switching between different petroleum products is fast with a minimum risk of contamination. With their double hulls, optimum corrosion control, two enginerooms and two separate propulsion systems, Concordia Maritime maintains that the P-MAX tankers are the safest product tankers ever built.
The C-MAX tankers, owned by Stena Bulk, are intended for efficient transportation of petroleum products and gas over shorter distances in environmentally sensitive waters. Like the V-MAX and P-MAX tankers, they are wider than conventional tankers of the same size, which increases their loading capacity. They are able to handle 17 different types of cargo, including 1,300m3 of liquid gas and 12,500m3 of petroleum products. Their cargo tanks are designed for fast cleaning and switching between different product types.
Currently under development is the B-MAX, which is specially designed for the Baltic Sea. The vessel will be suitable for the safe and economical carriage of crude from ports in this environmentally sensitive area. It will have a shallow draught as well as double safety and navigation functions. MP
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