Brutal wake-up to changed conditions! Also inside: Focus on ore carriers, More bulkers to DNV, E.R. Schiffahrt, Class transfer to DNV at Express speed, Timber deck cargo, R&D on shaft/bearing interaction and Repair yard crunch?
All text and photographs: Magne A. Røe, except where otherwise stated.
Editorial
What started off as unrest in the US capital markets earlier this year has over the past few months escalated into a global financial crisis and meltdown of the world economy.
Class entry to DNV at express speed
Class Entry Express is a new fast-track ‘red carpet service’, providing owners that change class to DNV with a promptly delivered binder containing all the full-term certificates.
The world’s largest ore carriers
Brazilian ore giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (VALE) has placed an order for 12 very large ore carriers (VLOCs) with China’s third largest shipbuilder, Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries – all vessels to DNV class.
Nauticus Hull for structural analysis of ore carriers
Ore carriers are designed to carry high-density iron ores on long-haul routes. To ensure their safe design and construction, DNV has developed state-of-the-art procedures and software for structural analysis taking these demanding operational challenges into account.
The work horses of the seas – ore carriers!
These days we are seeing a renaissance for ore carriers, these large transporters of huge cargo volumes on one keel. Although ore carriers are widely considered to be sturdy work horses, their safe construction and efficient operation provide challenges which should not be ignored.
DNV SeaSkill
In the current market where competition for quality, highly competent, motivated seafarers is fierce, it is more important than ever for owners and ship managers with ambitious business goals to be able to document and track the competence of their officers and crew.
Successful team effort brings more bulkers to DNV
In 2007, one fifth of the bulk carrier tonnage was ordered to DNV class; this trend has continued in 2008, bringing DNV’s order book for bulk carriers up to a record high of more than 43 million dwt!
DNV Germany
Last year, DNV’s main office in Germany moved to the city centre of Hamburg. The combined experience and competence of the 50-plus staff at the office is impressive and underlines the DNV shipping competence as well as the closeness to the customers.
Being close to our customers
We want to be close to our customers, not just physically but also in our daily business operations.
Providing technical advice and solutions
Providing technical advice to German owners is the number one priority for Sönke Pohl, who started to work at DNV Germany’s maritime headquarters in Hamburg in July of this year.
Committed
E.R. Schiffahrt has traditionally been involved in container ships, but has over the past few years diversified into other segments, such as offshore supply vessels and bulk carriers.
Timber deck cargo – adjusted timber code
The risks involved in the carriage of deck cargoes is a matter which needs full awareness.
DNV initiative to develop more reliable methods for optimising shaft/bearing interaction
Over the past few years, the volume of shaft/bearing damage has increased. Such damage may be very costly due to delayed delivery, high repair costs and expensive off-hire due to repairs.
Ship repair crunch?
There have been many concerns over the world’s shipbuilding capacity, but for a long time no one seemed to ask the question whether there is enough ship repair capacity in order to maintain such a big and fast-growing fleet.
Brutal wake-up to changed conditions
Sweet memories of a most fantastic dry bulk market in the recent past have been brutally overshadowed by the strongest market fall ever seen in the dry bulk market. The dry bulk market suddenly almost disappeared. Since its peak in late May, the Baltic Dry Index had by 14 November fallen back 93 per cent.
DNV launches Class Entry Express
DNV has launched Class Entry Express in response to the increase in the number of class entries to DNV – up 40 per cent since 2005 – and in order to provide better service to Owners and Managers that change class to DNV.