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Jin Hai Shipyard in China New Generation of Container Super FeedersThe Graig Group ordered a series of upto 26 new generation MARLIN 2000 Blue design container feeders to be built at the Jin Hai Shipyard complex in China. The first two vessels are scheduled for deliv- ery in August and September 2013 with subsequent vessels to be delivered in pairs every two and half months. ?This series responds to the industry?s needs,? said Hugh Williams, CEO, Graig. ?There is a gap in the containership market for qual- ity, fuel efficient, competitively-priced and environmentally-friendly feeder ships to service the ultra large containerships now being brought into service by the major lines. This advanced MARLIN family of designs will fill that gap, and we expect this order to be the first of several series of larger capacity future-proof ves- sels, backed by the strength of the MAR- LIN consortia.? The MARLIN series of designs hasbeen developed by Wärtsilä, working closely with Graig and classification major DNV. The designs are the product of extensive research and tank testing and consultation with end users. With a num- ber of design variants, the series delivers approximately 30 percent improved fuel efficiency per TEU carried, improved ca- pacity and slow steaming potential, better loading flexibility for different container types including a high reefer intake and lower emissions when compared to ves- sels currently in service.The initial order is for three MARLIN2000 Blue geared vessels and three op- tions followed by an understanding for the series to be extended up to 20 additional vessels including other MARLIN designs. The first vessels have been ordered by Graig and a number of partners. Financesupport is being led by a major Europeanbank and China?s EXIM Bank. August 2011www.marinelink.com 27The first two of a new class of vessels designed by Seattle-based Elliott Bay De-sign Group LLC (EBDG) and built for the Port Aransas Ferry Service went into op- eration on July 1. EBDG was selected by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Corpus Christi District, to pre- pare the design for this new 160-ft, dou- ble-ended ferry serving as a continuationof Texas State Highway 361 across the Corpus Christi Channel, between PortAransas and Harbor Island. The new ves- sels, the Michael W. Behrens and the Charles W. Heald, are named for former directors of the transportation department.They increase the Port Aransas fleet to eight vessels, and each new vessel has a carrying capacity of 28 vehicles, eight more than the port?s older ferries. One of the most significant structural improvements of these vessels is the pi- lothouse support. ?The old vessels have a pilothouse on a pylon that comes up from the center of the vehicle deck,? said Brian King, Vice President of Engineering at EBDG. ?This ferry has the pilothouseover a bridging structure supported on each edge of the ferry, leaving the vehicle lanes clear of obstructions. This is most significant for trucks that load on the cen- ter line of the vessel.? The ability of large trucks to roll on and roll off without ma- neuvering around a pilothouse support significantly reduces loading and unload- ing times.In addition to providing a smoother and quieter ride, the new ferries include pas- senger shelters and accessibility to pas-sengers with disabilities. The vessels are ABS classed and U.S. Coast Guard in-spected.Length overall (molded) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159.6 ft. Length on design load waterline . . . . . . . . . .153.5 ft. Length between perpendiculars . . . . . . . . . . . .145 ft. Breadth (molded) over guard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 ft. Breadth (molded) at DLWL . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42.3 ft. Depth (molded) amidships at side . . . . . . . . .11. 7 ft. Draft (molded) at DLWL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 ft. Displacement (molded) at DLWL . . . . .512.7 LTSW Maximum DWT Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234 LT US Gross Tonnage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 GT Brake Horsepower (@2100 Engine RPM) .600 BHP Generators (2) continuous duty service @ 1800 rpm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 KW @ 0.8 pf, 60 HZ Fuel Oil Capacity (95%) . . . . . . . . . . .4,200 Gallons Automobile Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Passenger Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 Southwest Shipyard Port Aransas Ferries Begin ServiceMR Aug. 11 # 4 (25-33):MR Template 8/3/2011 10:44 AM Page 27