Page 17: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 1995)

UNL-Built Mar Almudena Achieves

Higher Speed With CLT Prop

In recent sea trials, the asphalt carrier Mar

Almudena, built by Union Naval de Levante (UNL) at its factory in Valencia for WW

Marpetrol, outdid speed requirements of its contract by A knots. This is reportedly one of the most outstanding features of this tanker, delivered on Dec. 27, 1994, and now on duty carrying liquid asphalt between the Canary

Islands and the Spanish mainland.

This success resulted in a new order for UNL by the same owner for a chemical carrier fitted with stainless steel cargo tanks. Upon request by WW Marpetrol, this second vessel will be built with the same hull forms and fitted with an identical CLT propeller, designed by Sistemar.

With these specifications, the owner's intention is to ensure a repeat of the efficient power/speed ratio achieved with Mar Almudena.

In speed trials prior to delivery, speed mea- surements were taken by means of advanced differential GPS equipment, to ensure absolute accuracy. Sistemar, the company which de- signed the CLT propeller installed on the Mar

Almudena, carried out a detailed speed predic- tion study with a conventional optimal perfor- mance propeller. The results of the study indi- cated that, with such a propeller, the ship would have achieved the exact trial speed for which it was designed — 14.49 knots at full load at 100 percent engine MCR: 4,250 bhp with the engine at 750 rpm (propeller at 126.9 rpm). Under the same condi- tions the CLT reportedly enabled the ship to reach a trial speed of 14.89 knots.

From the operator's perspective, this difference means that 18 percent less power is needed to reach the contract service speed. These results have reportedly been confirmed with the ship now in full operation.

For more information on UNL

Circle 97 on Reader Service Card

Mar Almudena Particulars

Length o.a 397 ft. (121 nr.)

Beam 60.7 ft. (18.5 m)

Draft (full load) 24.3 ft. (7.4 m)

Corresponding dwt 9,5001

Main engine Wartsila 8R32E

MCR 4,450 hp

Pride Acquires Horizontal Drilling Co.

Pride Petroleum Services executed a letter of intent to purchase Horizon Directional Sys- tems, a Houston-based horizontal and direc- tional drilling company. Said Ray H. Tolson, chairman and CEO of Pride, "The acquisition of

Horizon is an important step for Pride. A significant portion of our rig fleet is now active in performing horizontal drilling projects for our customers, particularly in the Gulf ofMexico.

Horizontal drilling has now gained widespread acceptance in the industry, and the use of this technology has made meaningful improvements in the production capacity of new and recompleted wells ... Horizon has established itself as one of the premier providers of horizon- tal and directional services in the United States."

Calif. Maritime Academy Graduate

Receives Award

Hank Ryan, past president and director of the Society of Port Engineers, Port of San Fran- cisco, presented Ken Kusano, California Mari- time Academy graduate, with a gold watch in recognition of his excellence in watch standing at the school's commencement exercises in

Vallejo, Calif.

Mr. Kusano will be receiving an active duty commission with the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer.

Hank Ryan (left) presents Ken Kusano with award.

ASTANO ASTANDER CADIZ

P.O. BOX 994 15080 Ferrol

La Coruna - Spain

Tel. (3481) 34 3211

Fax (3481) 34 3252

P.O. BOX 10 39080 El Astillero

Cantabria - Spain

Tel. (3442) 54 0050

Fax (3442) 54 0026

P.O. BOX 39 11080 Cadiz

Spain

Tel. (3456) 27 3350

Fax (3456) 27 8362

ASTILLEROS ESPANOLES

April, 1995

Circle 348 on Fleader Service Card 39