China's first-ever series of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) have all been built to DNV class.
The largest shipyard in northern China, the Dalian New Shipbuilding Heavy Industries Co Ltd (DNS), delivered in June the Iran Darab. This was the final VLCC in a series of five to Iranian shipowner the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC). The DNV-classed vessels are the first VLCCs ever to be built by a Chinese shipyard.
The first 300,000dwt VLCC, Iran Delvar, was delivered in 2002 after 24 months of construction, while the last vessel in the series took only 16 months to build from steel cutting to delivery.
The cooperation between DNS, NITC and DNV was close-knit throughout the project, with several divisions within the DNV group having contributed to the project's overall success.
Areas of influence included vibration and noise evaluation, shaft alignment calculations, and ballast water management plans for all five vessels in the series.
NITC expressed its gratitude to DNV for its support with the following statement: "NITC would like to congratulate and thank all those concerned for their trust, contribution and cooperation during the project, and we look forward to its continuation in the future."
NITC is planning an extensive newbuilding program including LNG ships and VLCCs, while DNV work at DNS continues with two dual classed VLCCs for the China Shipping Group, one of the main shipping companies in China.