Page 6: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (December 2005)

T he annual selection of Great Ships of 2005 represents yet another milestone, as this edition features a record 25 ships produced around the globe. Sure to spark debate, the field of 25 is as impressive for it’s sheer breadth as it is for the diversity of task.

Traditionally, passenger vessels are not included in this annual year end report, if for no other reason than Passenger Vessels are the feature focus of the

January edition of MR. However, we simply could not leave out the Benchijigua

Express, a massive 127-m trimaran from Austal Ships in Australia that is pow- ered by four MTU 8000s which produce 32,800 kW, driving the vessel to 40+ knots while carring 1,350 passengers and 341 cars.

Size is also a factor in the selection of MSC Pamela, which to date is the world’s largest containership, capable of transporting 9,200 TEU. While the dimensions (336.7 x 45.6 m) are indeed impressive, and the ship provides an amzaing 26 knot service speed via a MAN B&W 12K98MC0C engine produc- ing 93,120 bhp, it is also chock full of minute engineering detail designed to ensure its safe and efficient voyage. Of the 25 vessels featured in this year’s line- up, nine are of the container vessel class.

The efficient carriage of liquefied gas is without doubt a strong growth niche in the shipbuilding business, and the segment is represented well in this year’s presentation of Great Ships with three vessels. Included is Gaz de France’s new 74,000 cu. m. capacity ship, a ship which has opened a new technical chapter in

LNG marine transportation with the incorporation of adual-fuel reciprocating engine/electric drive system. The ship is equipped with four, six-cylinder

Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines, give a total power output of 22.8 MW.

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No. 12 Vol. 67

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Business Publications

Audit of Circulation, Inc. 6 The Index 8 Leading Off 9 USV Day Held in D.C. 10 Kramek to Lead SNAME 14 Propulsion Update 37 Buyer’s Directory 40 Ad Index 41 Ship’s Store 42 Classifieds

On the Cover: Pictured on this month’s cover are a selection of “Great Ships” fea- tured in this month’s edition, starting on page 17.

Editor’s Note www.marinelink.com [email protected]

On the Cover

Circle 246 on Reader Service Card

Coming in Maritime Reporter & Engineering News

January 2006

Passenger Vessel Annual

Marine Propulsion Directory • Marine Interior Design Marine Finance &

Leasing Australia

February 2005

Cruise Shipping Annual

MR’s annual review of the best cruise ships delivered in 2005.

Clean Water Technology Maritime Satellite & Communication Coatings &

Corrosion Control Finland www.marinelink.com 6 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News

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