To assist owners with the challenges of building and operating ships for the booming bulk cargo trades, DNV recently conducted a half-day seminar in Hong Kong on bulk carrier construction and operation.
This seminar was conducted in conjunction with the year of the ftieth anniversary of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association. “We are seeing a surge in new orders and also the demands by terminals for quick loading of bulk ships. These challenges are very real for the bulk carrier industry and we recognise that class must be roactive in providing practical solutions,” said Ulf T. Freudendahl, Business Director – Bulk Carriers, DNV Maritime.
Hong Kong Shipowners Association Managing Director, Arthur Bowring, agreed that the bulk carrier arena was in need of industry attention, pointing out that congestion in bulk load ports meant that some ships were blocked from trading, or else subject to pressure for faster loading. He added that many of the new bulk carriers are being ordered by his association members.
DNV is currently conducting plan approval for CSR- compliant bulk carriers, from handysize to capesize, for construction in China, India, South Korea and Vietnam. Mr Swerke Manager of DNV Maritime Service Centre in Shanghai said that new rule requirements introduce a radical shift towards more computerisation of the rule formulations and structural assessment. For intensively prepared shipbuilder, the basic hull drawings approval can be completed in two to three weeks.
Bjorn K. Haugland summarised the day’s events, pointing out that, “Owners need help with their ships in operation. With all the new building capacity coming on line, we also need to support the shipyards, not only implementing the new rules, but really taking responsibility to provide guidance.”
DNV is involved in bulk carrier projects in many Chinese yards, ranging from handysize, through handymax, panamax, capesize and also ore carriers, including the world’s largest, the 388,000 dwt ore carriers in Bohai Shipyard for BW Shipping.
Contact DNV in Greater China to receive your own copy of the DNV Greater China Update 2007 issue 2 in the mail.