Tankers-VLCC
BERGE SIGVAL, the World's Third and Largest Double-Hull VLCC
In March 1993, NKK Corporation delivered the BERGE SIGVAL, the world's third and largest double-hull VLCC, to Bergesen d.y. A/S of Norway.
Built at NKK'S Tsu Works, the oil tanker is the first of two such VLCCs ordered from NKK by Bergesen, the world's leading ship owner-operator. With a service speed of about 16knots, the BERGE SIGVAL is also among the world's fastest tankers.
The vessel's double-hull structure will meet anticipated revisions of the IMO's Marine Ocean Pollution Control (MARPOL) Convention to be applied to all tankers contracted on or after July 6, 1993, for prevention of oil spills.
A significant difference in the new double-hull vessels is that, unlike conventional single-hull tankers, the oil and seawater tanks are completely separated. This includes separate piping systems to ensure maximum protection against ocean pollution. The double hull along the tanker's sides and bottom surrounds the other oil tanks.
In addition, the ballast tanks have tar-epoxy coatings and glass- fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP) pipes in ballast piping inside the tanks to ensure complete corrosion prevention. Cargo oil and residual oil pipes are made of highly corrosion- resistant cast iron containing chromium.
The following are among the other features of the vessel ; an automatic stripping system; engine monitoring and remote control; inspection corridors to facilitate thorough inside-tank inspections; a special bell mouth designed to considerably improve oil unloading performance; and an economical exhaust eco-turbo power generation system to supply onboard electricity needs while underway.
To realize automation and man- power savings without sacrificing reliability and safety, the tanker employs an automated EO-code approved by DNV (Classification Society Det Norske Veritas) ; a worldwide GMDSS shipwreck-safety system; a highly accurate radar- type oil-level indicator in the cargo tanks ; emergency towing equipment expected to be required by the U.S. LOOP (Louisiana Offshore Oil Loading Pier) ; an electro-hydraulic hose handling crane; and remote-controlled electro-hydraulic mooring winches.
PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS
Length(o.a.)……………331.50m
Length(b.p.)……………317.00m
Breadth(mld.)……………58.00m
Depth(mld.)……………31.40m
Draft(mld.)……………22.34m
Gross tonnage……………160,214
Deadweight……………306,430MT
Main engine……………NKK (DU) Sulzer 7RTA84M
MCR……………35,000PS×80rpm
NOR……………31,500PS×77.2rpm
Speed(max. trial)……………16.4knots
(service)……………15.95knots
Complement……………33
Classification……………DNV
Cargo pump……………5,500m3/h×150m×3
2,500m3/h×150m×1
Loading capacity(tank)……………350.344m3
