Page 39: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2001)

:*"/. Y ' - ::; .-•v.- v :' ' ' ' ' equipment was also upgraded.

Gdansk is most noted for its tanker to shuttle tanker conversions. A prime example is the Nordic Project, which the conversion of a tanker into a shuttle tanker designed to collect and transport crude oil, which has been extracted from the North Sea. Norwegian shipowner

Knutsen commissioned the 600 x 88 ft. (183 x 27 m) Betty Knutsen specifically for this purpose.

The majority of the work involved the installation of new BLS loading facili- ties, as well as a new power plant built with a generator set, which supply the azimuth thruster on the bow. A new pipeline, cable tracks and a pilot's winch were installed, and the vessel's plat- forms and gears were converted. The tanker, which departed Remontowa dur- ing July, is equipped in DPS system meeting the requirements of DP2 class, geared toward stabilizing the vessel in one position during the loading of crude oil on the seas.

The yard has taken on another chal- lenging job with the conversion and lengthening of two vessels, m/v Ask and

Urd, both of which are owned by Euro- pean ferry company Scandlines.

Remontowa will lengthen each vessel, by 66 ft. (20.2 m) each, reconstruct three passenger decks, convert the lower hold into a car deck, and will also install an internal hoistable ramp for weather deck. The vessels, which boast accom- modation for passengers will require more than 660 tons each of steel to com- plete this process. Outfitting, pipe work, electric work and painting will also be completed. Since the main task was the lengthening of the ferry, a special sec- tion was prefabricated, weighing 510 tons, and measuring 66 x 66 x 46 ft. (20.2 x 20.2 x 13.9 m). The vessel was then cut in half, and its forward undocked. The prefabricated section was then installed followed by the for- ward of the vessel. The process, which was designed and supervised by the shipyard's technical office, extended

Ask's length from 495 ft. (150.8 m) to 561 ft. (171 m).

The vessel, which is scheduled to depart from the shipyard in August, will also receive upgraded passenger and crew cabins.

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Poland's PGNiG Mulls Deal

Poland's natural gas monopoly PGNiG is currently mulling a long-term import deal with Norway that would signifi- cantly lessen the country's energy dependence on Russia, PGNiG said.

Despite political opposition from the party expected to win general elections next month, state-owned PGNiG is negotiating a 16-year deal with its Nor- wegian counterpart Statoil, via Nor- way's gas sales monopoly GFU.

The contract, estimated at about $11 billion over its 16-year life, is for five billion cu. m. of gas annually from 2008.

WHO ELSE

BUT IZAR? \s i lie result n! I lie merger between the renow ned Spanish builders Astilleros Hspanoles and Ba/an. IZAR is one of the largest shipbuilding groups in the world. ()ur mission is to help shipow ners match the increasing demands of a competitive shipping market. And w e have a wealth ol experience in doing so. 1/ \R is currently building a series of LNCi carriers with the latest technology, but also new dredgers for the best know n operator in the world.

IZAR has built some of the fastest ferries in the world, but also three dual drilling units for the Gulf of Mexico incorporating the latest offshore technology, and was the pioneer in FPSOs.

IZAR is designing a new generation of fast Ro-Pax ships, but also has the most advanced and environmentally-friendly technology in double-hull tankers and in chemical carriers.

And, most importantly, we are ready to meet any demand.

Let IZAR help build your utopia.

P° de la Castellana, 55 • 28046 MADRID. Spain • Tel. +34 91 335 84 00 • Fax +34 91 441 50 90 • www.izar.es

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September, 2001 39