Page 22: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2002)

Investment in Design could be the result of the response by regulators to the next high profile tanker casualty and ensuing pollution, especial- ly if a double-hull tanker is involved. "We now have a redundant hull. The next step will be redundant engine rooms, possibly double hull engine rooms, redundant steering gear, two pro- pellers, twin rudders, redundant naviga- tion systems, perhaps even double colli- sion bulkheads," he suggested.

Models for future designs can already be found, according to Dr. Liu: "They have been taking shape in U.S. ship- yards and elsewhere with the first series of tankers, having many of these redun- dant features delivered to Polar Tankers from Avondale shipyard. So will the next series of tankers for BP from

NASSCO, to be followed by the innova- tive series of shuttle tankers for Cono- co." While many of the projects have been driven by oil majors. Concordia

Maritime's V-Max series of VLCCs (very large crude carriers) was referred to as an example of innovative thinking on the part of the shipowning communi- ty. "If the case of the Amoco Cadiz were to occur today, there is no doubt in my mind that redundant system legislation would follow almost immediately." con- sidered Dr. Liu. He felt that mandatory introduction of such requirements would have an equally disruptive effect on the industry as the double-hull stipulations, with the fundamental difference in the nature of implementation. The double- hull process started with U.S. unilateral action in the shape of OPA 90, and con- tinued a decade later with unilateral action on the part of the European

Union, in the aftermath of the Erika dis- aster. With the redundant system approach, Don Liu considers that it will be worked out within IMO and will impact the global fleet from the outset.

Cargo Handling's

New Force

A bold investment policy by TTS

Technology of Bergen has hoisted the

Norwegian group into the world's top three equipment suppliers in its special- ized market segments. In many minds, the TTS name is synonymous with ship- yard production systems and design, which remains an important part of its activities. But diversification and acqui- sitions since 1997, reaching a new high- point with the purchase of Hamworthy

KSE's dry cargo division and takeover of cranemaker Hydralift Marine at the tail end of last year, has seen the emergence of a powerful new force in the market for shipboard equipment, including total vessel packages. Annual turnover has doubled to approximately $96.3 million as a result of the absorption of Hamwor- thy KSE and Hydralift Marine, and the group is set fair for income growth.

Headquartered in Gothenburg, the home of the erstwhile Kvaerner Ships'

Equipment, the new TTS Dry Cargo

Handling Division embraces the former

Swedish and German cargo access spe- cialist companies and Chinese joint ven- ture of Hamworthy KSE, along with

TTS' existing interests in the field, hith- erto vested in TTS-Mongstad. The vari- ous cargo access firms have now been retitled TTS Ships Equipment, while the assimilated Shanghai operation has become TTS Hua Hai Ships Equipment.

The Marine Cranes Division has been formed from the existing TTS-Norlift augmented by Hydralift Marine, while the long-established business in ship- yard production and heavy load han- dling equipment as well as recently developed activities in container termi- nal systems have been vested in TTS

Handling Systems.

Viking Enhanced

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Circle 316 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com

Circle 265 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com 22 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News

LiquiSear Purge Control

UquiSeal Purge Control is a fully integrated level sensor for liquid cargo/service tanks or for draft measurement. External mounting on the tank or at remote location. Rugged brass construction with pneumatic or two wire (4-20 mA) output.

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LevelBAR"

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LevelBAR offers direct replacement for fluid-filled manometer tank gauges. Built for greater reliability, analog LED column graphically displays tank level. Rugged stainless enclosure and shatterproof window. Models for electronic or air driven systems.

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Ballast and Tank Level

Indicating Systems for the Marine and Offshore

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LevelPROM Multiple Tank Level Processors

LevelPRO provides continuous measurement of ballast levels and shipboard service tanks. Up to 8 tank levels with local display and operator terminal.

Digital multidrop network compatible with auto- mated control systems. Durable corrosion-proof housing and sealed keypad.