Page 16: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2002)

RoRo Focus

CAPT. R. J. UNDERHILL &

ASSOCIATES, INC.

SINCE 1953

Marine Surveyors, Consultants and Expert Witnesses

World Wide Service

Western Gulf Reps for ICGB

P.O. Box 1030

Groves, Texas 77619

Phone: (877) 985-9329

Fax: (409) 985-8320 www.underhill-surveyors.com

VP, TECHNICAL STRATEGIC SOURCING

Carnival Cruise Lines, one of South Florida's top organizations and a member of the S&P 500. has an immediate opening for a newly created position in tie Corporate Procurement Group. This position will work closely witt Carnival s various operating companies and will be responsible for identify ng, analyzing, researching and presenting supply chain and sourcing alternatives resulting in reduced cost, increased reliability and/or reduced vendor lead times.

The chosen professional will possess at least 10 years experience in Marine

Technical operations and purchasing and must have a proven record of delivering toitom line results.

We require a BS in Engineering or a related field, or equivalent work experience Must be computer literate and able to travel internationally.

Knowledge of Spanish/Italian a plus.

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including full health care coverage. 401 (k). stock purchase plan, cruise benefits, on-site child care and fitness centers Fax resume and salary history to: (305) 406-8619 or e-mail: [email protected] Post-offer background check and drug screening required. EOE

H Carnival.

Market Changes Mold RoRo Ship Conversions 6720 124TH AVE., FENNVILLE Ml 49408

PHONE 800-962-5000 FAX 616-543-4637

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT http://www.harringtonmarine.com

A number of commercial and regulatory factors have contributed to growth in the RoRo ship upgrading and conversion market over the past year, particularly in the

North European arena:

The abolition of tax-free sales on ferries in intra-EU traffic forced shipowners to find new sources of rev- enue. A declining number of passengers can be coun- tered by converting ships to carry more cargo: for example, by reconfiguring car decks or exploiting for- mer passenger cabin and amenity areas to accommo- date more trucks and trailers — and fewer cars. • Continual search for higher profitability from existing assets rather than investment in new tonnage dictates maximization of cargo capacity and optimisa- tion of handling to speed traffic flows and shorten times in port. A conversion to allow loading and dis- charging on two levels may be considered, for exam- ple, and the retrofit of auto-mooring equipment. • Safety issues, with maritime authorities and classi- fication societies dictating upgrading/conversion mea- sures by shipowners to maintain certification. • Trade within the European Union has increased and demanded more cargo transportation capacity.

Increasing road congestion and air pollution call for less-polluting transport solutions. An EU program aims for improved inter-modal freight services, easing the movement of cargo between land, river and sea. and stimulating shipowners to seek more flexibility and efficiency from their fleet units. • Low interest rates, making investment in upgrad- ings and conversions more attractive. • Competition from new players entering an arena, such as the Baltic, influencing established ferry opera- tors in the region to execute upgradings or conversions to sustain business.

Swift and cost-effective upgradings/conversions to suit a ship for a different service, freight mix or termi- nal — or to meet new safety rules — are valued by

RoRo passenger and freight ferry operators in chang- ing market conditions. Such projects help to maintain or increase revenues on an established route or to rede- ploy tonnage in more profitable trades.

Tapping experience from what it claims is the world's largest installed RoRo equipment base. MacGREGOR has executed numerous modernization and conversion projects — often on a turn-key basis embracing initial study, technical solution, design, manufacturing, instal- lation and commissioning. Specialist teams aim to eliminate or minimize downtime by performing as much work as possible while the ship is in service.

Participation by MacGREGOR as an invited special- ist in the post-Estonia disaster committee contributed to the Nordic Rule proposals — covering the strength, securing and locking arrangements for bow doors and visors — subsequently adopted by the International

Association of Classification Societies (IACS). These addressed the first line of defense (preventing water from entering the vehicle deck).

MacGREGOR has since supplied inner bow doors and carried out bow reinforcements for numerous fer- ries. In tackling the second line of defense (improving the ship's survivability if water enters the vehicle deck), the company has undertaken numerous retrofits of flood control doors on RoPax ferries.

Dividing the car deck into watertight compartments with longitudinal or transverse barriers is an efficient way of improving the survivability of damaged RoRo ferries. Flood control doors prevent the free water from spreading over the whole car deck, and thus decrease the total free surface effect and its potential to capsize the vessel.

Side-stowing and top-stowing jalousie types as well as hemicyclic and telescopic doors can be selected from a MacGREGOR portfolio developed to minimize loss of cargo space, operational interference, first cost and weight. Reliability and low maintenance demands were also sought by the designers. Effective 'defense barrier' hardware is vital but some RoRo ferry casual- ties have underlined the importance of owners and crews being committed to a rigorous operational regime and to maintaining equipment subject to ardu- ous duty. A pro-active approach is urged by MacGRE-

GOR. embracing regular inspections and reports by specilaists to secure sustained ship safety and

KORT NOZZLES

IN STANDARD

AND CUSTOM

CONFIGURATIONS

HARRINGTON MARINE

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