Union Noval de Levante Launches Advanced-Technology Asphalt Carrier

The shipyard Union Naval de Levante launched the Mar Almudena at its factory in Valencia, Spain. This ship is an advanced-technology asphalt carrier, built on order by WW Marpetrol to be operated by CEPSA, one of Spain's privatelyowned oil companies.The Mar Almudena utilizes a highly refined structural design, solving the problem of transporting liquid asphalt heated to 170 degrees F (a process which produces extreme thermal stresses in the tank structure). By means of three-dimensional analysis by finite elements (3D FEA), thermal fatigue has been reduced to the minimum, which eliminates the danger of plate cracking, a frequent occurrence in this type of vessel after a relatively short period of service.

The Mar Almudena is built with a double hull, in compliance with Marpol and U.S. Coast Guard standards, with six central cargo tanks and ballast tanks at sides and in double bottom. The ship is equipped to handle two cargo segregations.

Mar Almudena is 397 ft. (121 m) long, with a beam of 61 ft. (18.5 m) and draft of 23 ft. (7 m).

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