Progress Update on Newbuildings

Introduction

By Christina Toki & Natassa Sakellariou

Approximately one year ago, on 28th July 2021, the steel cutting of the Company’s first project in Samsung Heavy Industries was carried out and marked the official opening of the Site Office in South Korea. On 11th July 2022, we celebrated the delivery of this vessel, M/T DINO, the first of five that has joined the Company’s fleet. Following her, sister vessel M/T AMALIA M also recently joined the Company’s fleet on 7th September 2022. The progress of the work is as follows:

Hull No. 2419 – M/T DINO

The main events for Hull No. 2419 were carried out on the following dates: - Steel cutting: 28th July 2021 - Keel laying: 10th January 2022 - Launching: 7th May 2022 - Delivery: 11th July 2022 The construction of all the blocks of the vessel was carried out in South Korea and erection work was carried out in Dock No. 2 of Samsung Heavy Industries.

Figure 1: Keel Laying Ceremony of Hull No. 2419 / Launching of Hull No. 2419

Figure 2: E/R Block erection / Erection of vessel in Dock No. 2

After launching, the vessel remained alongside and commissioning work began for various pieces of equipment on board. Commissioning was further continued in the Shipyard’s anchorage and during the sea trials that were carried out during the period 24th-28th June 2022. All the alarms and safety devices of the machinery, equipment and systems, Auxiliary Engines, Auxiliary Boilers, Emergency Generator, Purifiers, Oily Water Separator, Inert Gas System, Ballast Water Treatment System, Gas Detection System, VRC, Cargo & Ballast Pumps, Tank Cleaning Machines & Tank Cleaning Heater, Deck Machinery (Mooring Winches), Emergency Towing System were among the systems which were successfully tested.

Figure 3: Deck foam firefighting system / Tank Cleaning system function test

During the anchorage period, the inclining experiment and Deadweight measurements at scantling draft (17.2m) were carried out. The results were as follows: - Lightship: 24,673 metric tons - DWT (at 17.2m draft): 157,010 metric tons During sea trials, the vessel’s speed and maneuverability were verified successfully. The speed measured at the design draft of 16.0m and M/E NCR with 15% sea margin and after the correction to calm sea (no wind, no wave, no current) and deep sea conditions was 14.88 knots. Maneuverability was verified by the Turning Circle, Zig-Zag and Steering gear tests.

Figure 4: Zig-Zag test Figure 5: Turning Circle test

The overall performance of the Main Engine (HSD MAN B&W 6G70 ME-C 10.5) was satisfactory and all operating parameters were in accordance with MAN recommendations. The Endurance test of the Main Engine was carried out as follows: - At NCR (68.35% of MCR) for two (2) hours - At MCR (100%) for four (4) hours

The daily M/E Fuel Oil consumption at ballast condition and M/E NCR, measured during sea trials for reference, was 34.2 tons/day. Also, the Main Engine was successfully tested at Tier III mode by running the Low Pressure Selective Catalytic Reduction System (LP SCR), and the NOx emission reduction rate was measured at 86.6%.

Figure 6: Main Engine

Figure 7: Main Engine LP SCR Control Panel and Burner Unit

A Crash Stop Astern test was also carried out to prove that the Main Engine is capable of achieving the ship’s emergency stop. The time and sailing distance between “Order of astern under headway” and “Ship’s stop” were measured as follows: - Time: 12 minutes and 22 seconds - Sailing distance: 2,849m The vessel has been assigned the ESA Notation (Enhanced Shaft Alignment) and the new triple slope design of the aft stern tube bearing has been applied. Therefore, a running-in procedure for the aft stern tube bearing was followed at the commencement of sea trials. M/E has operated at “slow”, “half”, “full” and “navigation full” while the rudder angle was kept at 5°, 15° and 25° (port & starboard) at each of the above mentioned M/E loads (for a period of 5 minutes at each of the above conditions). The average temperatures measured indicated normal conditions and no white metal was found in the stern tube L.O. pumps filter, which were opened up on completion of the running-in.

Figure 8: Vessel's route on ECDIS during running-in / Stern tube L.O. filter condition Right after the completion of sea trials, the loads of fwd stern tube bearing, intermediate shaft bearing and the three (3) aftmost M/E main bearings were measured in hot condition. The M/E crankshaft deflection and the top clearances of main bearings were measured in hot condition and found in accordance with MAN recommendations. Vibration and noise level measurements were performed in Accommodation spaces, the Wheelhouse, Engine Room and other working areas, where low levels were indicated. Following the rectification of all the points raised during sea trials by Samsung Heavy Industries, M/T DINO was successfully delivered to the Owners on 11th July 2022.

Figure 9: M/T DINO during sail away from Samsung Heavy Industries

Hull No. 2420 – M/T AMALIA M

The main events for Hull No. 2420 were carried out on the following dates: - Steel cutting: 15th September 2021 - Keel laying: 21st March 2022 - Launching: 1st July 2022 - Delivery: 7th September 2022 The construction of the blocks of the vessel was mainly carried out in South Korea with the exception of the Engine Casing giga block that was constructed in Rongcheng Shipyard in China. Erection work was carried out in Dock No. 2 of Samsung Heavy Industries.

Figure 10: Engine Casing block transferred to Shipyard / Erection work in Dock No. 2

The vessel successfully completed her sea trials during the period 17th-20th August. The results of the sea trials tests were similar to those of Hull No. 2419 and all the points raised in the comments were rectified on time.

Figure 11: M/T AMALIA M during sea trials

Naming Ceremony of Hull No. 2419 & Hull No. 2420

For the celebration of the delivery of M/T DINO and M/T AMALIA M, the naming ceremony of both vessels was carried out on 6th July 2022 in Geoje, South Korea. It was attended by the Owners, Samsung Heavy Industries and ABS Management.

Figure 12: Naming ceremony of M/T DINO and M/T AMALIA M

Hull No. 2421 – M/T DIMITRI

The following main events for Hull No. 2421 have been completed so far: - Steel cutting: 29th December 2021 - Keel laying: 4th July 2022 At the moment, the tandem block is being erected in Dock No. 2 and tandem launching is scheduled for 4th September 2022. All steel fabrication and assembly have been completed in South Korea except one part completed in Rongcheng, China. Erection progress is at 60% and upon tandem launching, the erection of the giga and mega blocks will commence in Dock No. 2. Delivery of the vessel to the Owners is expected in early January 2023.

Figure 13: Part of tandem block / Giga block in erection stage Hull No. 2440 – M/T POPI P Hull No. 2441 – M/T COSTAS P

The steel cutting of both projects was completed as follows: - Hull No. 2440 – 18th February 2022 - Hull No. 2441 – 12th April 2022 The steel fabrication and assembly was fully completed for Hull No. 2440 and pre-erection work started in August 2022, while all the fabrication and assembly work for Hull No. 2441 are still in progress. The blocks, outfitting and painting work are under inspection by the Site Office team and delivery of the vessels to the Owners is expected in mid-February 2023 for Hull No. 2440 and late March 2023 for Hull No. 2441.

Figure 14: Blocks under construction

Figure 15: Blasting and painting work (stripe coats)

To be continued…

From our Site Office, we are sending our warmest wishes to the newly delivered vessels M/T DINO and M/T AMALIA M and we wish them and their crew safe and prosperous voyages. With regards to the following projects, we are focusing our efforts on the continuous inspections taking place and we are looking forward to welcoming our seafarers in South Korea for the sea trials and delivery of upcoming vessels.