Tankers-VLCC
Double-Hull VLCC ATLANTIC LIBERTY Completed
The ATLANTIC LIBERTY, a VLCC (deadweight tonnage : 310,000 metric tons) ordered by Osaka Shosen Mitsui Senpaku K.K., was recently completed at the Ariake Works of Hitachi Zosen. This tanker, under Panamanian registry, was christened and delivered to the owner, Exceed Shipping S.A., on September 28, 1995. It was the second double-hull VLCC built by Hitachi Zosen and is scheduled to be put into service on Esso Sekiyu K.K. Middle East-North America route. What's more, Hitachi Zosen's Ariake Works will deliver the large tanker's sister ship in December 1995.
The features and main specifications of the tanker are as follows :
Features
1. The tanker has the double-hull structure required by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL73/78), designed to ensure a greatly enhanced ability to prevent marine pollution in an accident, that is, if the vessel should ground or be involved in a collision with another ship. One of the features of Hitachi Zosen's double-hull VLCC is that it is equipped with wing ballast tanks. This design feature provides a good balance of hull strength and lowers steel reinforcement requirements, thereby reducing hull weight. Also, inside the double-hull structure, an access trunk running from the top deck to the double bottom improves ventilation and facilitates the checking and inspection work within the double hull. This VLCC has acquired Safe Hull Notation and ESP Notation certificates issued by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
2. Emergency towing equipment that becomes obligatory from January 1996 in accordance with SOLAS rules revised in 1994 is already installed in this tanker. This equipment is used to enable the ship to be towed by a tug boat or other vessel if the ship is unable to proceed on its own for any reason. Towing preparations can be made more rapidly than with conventional equipment.
3. For the purpose of environmental protection, this tanker is equipped with a vapor control system. To prevent air pollution, vented gas from the cargo oil tanks at the time of cargo loading is returned to an on-land facility. Also, the cargo pump is equipped with a self-stripping system to make cargo unloading operation easier.
4. The tanker is equipped with a Super Stream Duct nozzle, developed by Hitachi Zosen, in front of the propeller. A large bulbous bow is also provided below the water line. These greatly increase the tanker's propulsion efficiency. Moreover, the hull is coated with tin-free self-polishing anti-fouling paint (SPC) to ensure long-term hull fouling prevention.
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS
Length(o.a.)……………329.710m
Breadth(mld.)……………58.000m
Depth(mld.)……………31.800m
Draft(mld.)……………22.850m
Gross tonnage……………164,373
Deadweight(planned)……………310,000MT
Main engine……………HITACHI ZOSEN-MAN B & W 7S80MC
Derated maximum continuous output……………34,650PS×79.0rpm
Speed……………15.4knots
Complement……………30
Classification……………ABS
