Senior vice president of Interocean Ugland Management’s newbuilding department, Birger Jacobsen, is stationed at the Tsuneishi shipyard in Fukuyama, Japan. Nine panamax bulk ships are being built there – all to DNV class.
Over the years Jacobsen climbed through the ranks. He became a 1st engineer, then in 1971 he switched into inspection of ships in operation. Since 1984 he has worked on newbuildings.
Nine bulkers to DNV class
Nine DNV-classed panamax bulk carriers are in the pipeline at Tsuneishis Hashihama shipyard. All are to a standard Tsuneishi design. The most cost-effective type of vessel for both builder and operator, says Jacobsen. They are simple and relatively quick to build, straightforward in design, construction and operation. The 76,000dwt vessels are for Ugland and other Norwegian shipowners.
Steel cutting for the first ship will take place this summer, and the last vessel is expected to be delivered in September 2002. This means about seven months on each ship, Jacobsen says, knowing he has busy times ahead.
In addition to these there is one car carrier of 52,000m2 under construction at Hashihama, and one Aframax shuttle tanker under construction at Tsuneishi, also classed to DNV.
The Hashihama Shipyard belongs to the Tsuneishi Group a Japanese company established in 1918. Its first steel cargo ship was delivered in 1958, and the company has continuously developed over the years, becoming a conglomerate which today owns shipyards, repair and conversion sites, steelworks, farms, museums and resort hotels.
Having overseen 43 ships being built to DNV class, Birger Jacobsen has worked closely with DNV for many years. The relationship started back in Korea, when an expert was to be hired to sort out some technical problems. The expert turned out to be DNVs Christian Strobel, who in turn has worked on many Ugland newbuildings.
Comments Jacobsen, DNV has a lot to offer on the technical side, but building standard ships we have benefited most from its accessibility and quick service.
Date: 2000-08-15