May 30, 2008

NYK-Hinode Line Ltd. has decided to order two module vessels from a Japanese shipyard for delivery during the first and second half of 2010.

The transport of large plant equipment required for a variety of large industries - chemical, energy, transportation infrastructure, and the like - is in great demand as the prices for oil and other raw materials continue to rise. Under such circumstances, vessels that can transport heavy or large cargo, such as module vessels, are widely needed.

Worker shortages and management difficulties can often plague on-site plant construction. In order to address such challenges and comply with local environmental concerns, prefabricated or modular plants are often constructed and then transported to sites where they are then put to use.

A module vessel equipped with special facilities and manned by knowledgeable seafarers is of great use in such situations, and NYK-Hinode Line has been at the forefront of module vessel development and use over the past 30 years. The company currently makes use of 20 sea and technology specialists on the module vessel the company currently has, and looks forward to expanding in this area once the two new ships are delivered.

The new vessels will have state-of-the-art technology and facilities to meet future demands, such as the ability to carry up to 5,000 kilotons.

Details of the new vessels follow.

・Delivery
First vessel: first quarter of 2010
Second vessel: fourth quarter of 2010

・Vessel Particulars
Class: NK
LOA: 162.99 meters
Breadth: 38.00 meters
Depth: 9.00 meters
Draft (MLD): 6.34 meters
Deadweight: about 19,500 kilotons
Deck space: 130 X 36/38 meters
Deck uniform load: 18 MT/m² (Planed)
Deck crane: 10 MT(SWL) X 7.5 M/min. X 9 m radius X 2 sets
Main engine: Daihatsu 6DKM36 (M.R. 3,218 KW X 600/196 rpm 2 sets)
Propulsion system: Twin shaft with CPP
Service speed: 13.25 knots with 25% sea margin for MR

・Features of the New Vessels

1. Considering the height of the trailer and the need to roll on and off cargo from the vessel's side, a handrail that can be removed from the vessel will be adopted instead of a bulwark. All structures on the deck are under 1.2 meters and within one meter from the shipside in order to use the deck area fully and to enable the load modules that are over the breadth of the ship to be rolled on and off.
2. Because of the great size of the vessel, the capacity of the ballast pump will be strengthened, and the vessel will be able to carry a module up to 5,000 kilotons.
3. The draft will be shallow, and the depth will also be shallow, nine meters. Such shallow draft means that, if making a special jetty for discharging, there will be no need for the jetty to extend over a shallow sea for a great distance from shore. This will lead to added cost savings.
4. The vessel will have a bow thruster (power: 880 kilowatt, propulsion power: 13 metric tons). Using two CPPs and this bow thruster, the vessel will be able to maneuver smoothly in port.
5. Because module cargoes have various shapes, for safe transportation it is important to estimate the vessel's movement and acceleration, and NYK-Hinode Line can provide safe and sure transportation plans for the shipper using NYK-Hinode's transportation support system that comes with state-of-the-art navigability and sea condition data.
6. The vessel will have a deck strong enough for larger cargo with a safe vessel structure that exceeds regulations.
7. In accordance with the NYK Group environmental policy, the vessel will make use of state-of-the-art energy-saving and sea-pollution-prevention technology.

・Photo of the module vessel Sea Baron, which is currently owned and operated by NYK-Hinode Line