Car Decks

  • 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 revenue.

    A declining number of passengers can be countered by converting ships to carry more cargo: for example, by reconfiguring car decks or exploiting former passenger cabin and amenity areas to accommodate 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 optimisation of handling to speed traffic flows and shorten times in port. A conversion to allow loading and discharging on two levels may be considered, for example, and the retrofit of auto-mooring equipment.

    • Safety issues, with maritime authorities and classification societies dictating upgrading/conversion measures 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 upgradings and conversions more attractive.

    • Competition from new players entering an arena, such as the Baltic, influencing established ferry operators 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 terminal — or to meet new safety rules — are valued by RoRo passenger and freight ferry operators in changing market conditions. Such projects help to maintain or increase revenues on an established route or to redeploy 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, installation 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 specialist 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 ferries.

    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 casualties have underlined the importance of owners and crews being committed to a rigorous operational regime and to maintaining equipment subject to arduous duty. A pro-active approach is urged by MacGREGOR.

    embracing regular inspections and reports by specilaists to secure sustained ship safety and cargo handling efficiency.

    Operators can take advantage of continual equipment and system refinements.

    with relatively small investments often proving highly cost effective.

    Upgrading hydraulic or electric systems, for example, is a common option as original equipment ages and components needing replacement become more difficult to source. These can be replaced by contemporary equivalents or by more modern alternatives.

    A typical upgrading is the replacement of a manually-operated system by an electro-hydraulic PLC-controlled system, which, via push-button operation, controls the sequences and leaves the PLC to check the signal when the operation is completed.

    A new development proving attractive for RoRo ship newbuildings as well as retrofit projects is MacGREGOR's COREX panel for creating fixed and hoistable car decks/ramps. The stainless steel sandwich construction yields a significantly reduced profile (approximately one-third the depth) and about half the weight of an equivalent conventional steel panel.

    The resulting lower lightship weight, reduced molded depth and increased stability can be exploited to maximize the operational flexibility of a RoRo ship and extend payload configurations.

    Improved profitability and a higher second- hand value are thus promoted.

    Weight reduction was a prime factor in Sams0 Linien's decision to retrofit lightweight COREX panel-based hoistable car decks to its small vehicle/passenger ferry Sam-Sine. A larger free height above and below the hoistable car deck was also sought. Replacing the existing hoistable deck with a 98 x 13 ft. (30 x 2.4m) COREX version secured a weight reduction of 10 tons and extra free height on the main vehicle deck. The Danish owner can also anticipate lower maintenance costs from the stainless steel construction.

    Ships with conventional car decks and a trailer deck free height suitable for accompanied trailer traffic can be converted to take unaccompanied trailers or to accommodate higher trailers by installing COREX decks. The standardization and modularity of a car deck built from COREX panels foster short lead times for conversion projects, says MacGREGOR, and the containerfriendly decks and associated components can be shipped pre-assembled or for final assembly close to the customer.

    Hyundai Heavy Industries ordered COREX panels for the hoistable car decks and ramps of two Seapacer-class RoPax ferries booked by the Swedish owner Stena RoRo. COREX panels were selected for the car decks because of their impact on lowering weight and their significantly reduced thickness compared with conventional car decks.

    The latter characteristic enabled the designer to meet the owner's strict specifications for maximum free height on the cargo deck without compromising the stability of the ship.

    Circle 6 5 on Reader Service Card www.maritimereporterinfo.com

  • capacity. If an elevator is the only means of transporting cargo to and from a deck, alternative means of operation must be considered. Car decks: Car decks should be stowable to the overhead and lockable with a minimum amount of lost space. Heights under stowed car decks should be sufficient f

  • , including the choice of hull material. The additional truck lane meters of the TMV 115 have been obtained by using hoistable central and outboard car decks to allow for these taller vehicles. The car decks may be quickly hoisted upwards in a variety of configurations depending on loading requirements

  • items of cargo access gear per ship: an angled stern ramp/door and side ramp/door; nine internal ramps and four internal ramp covers; four liftable car decks, each covering the complete cargo area; two mobile deck lifters; four shell doors, two for bunker and two for pilot access; and a main hydraulic pump

  • Ab. As the Wellamo will spend only about one hour in port, special attention was given to reducing the time required for unloading and loading the car decks, handling provisions and stores, and discharging waste ashore. As in the Svea, careful consideration has been given to the special requirements

  • of the trade, MOL's latest fleet entrant has the flexibility to carry so-called 'high-and-heavy' cargo, by virtue of the adoption of two, hoistable car decks. The arrangements enable construction equipment, agricultural vehicles, railcars, buses and other than autos to be loaded on Nos 5 and 7 decks

  • the lower hold. With only cars onboard the main hold including the total hoistable deck will take 624 cars and the lower hold will take 79 cars. Both car decks offer additional parking area for a total of 142 motorbikes. The ferry features a stern and bow ramp for loading and unloading, and both ramps

  • , with day facilities for 2,000 passengers, is located in mid-ships leaving the aft end of the vessel open. The cargo is transported on two large car decks. Trailers and trucks are located on the main car deck, which has enough free height over the entire deck for high vehicles, and on the open aft

  • The 10,848-dwt, diesel-powered vehicle carrier Toyofuji 7 (shown above) was delivered recently to Toyofuji Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. of Japan by Hitachi Zosen, Tokyo. The ship was built at the Setoda Shipyard of Naikai Zosen, a Hitachi affiliate. The vessel is 178 meters long by 29 meters wide by 26.2

  • of 5,300 cars, is designed to transport microbuses, large buses and forklifts, in addition to passenger cars and trucks. The ship has a total of 13 car decks, the seventh and ninth of which are liftable decks that permit height adjustment. On either side at the center and on the starboard of the stern

  • trucks, large and small buses, car knock-downs, and containers, in addition to passenger cars. Including the upper deck, the ship has a total of 13 car decks, the fourth and sixth of which are hoistable to permit height adjustments. In addition to a midship shore ramp, there is a stern ramp over which

  • , this agreement is another indication of the commitment by Kvaerner to a worldwide coverage of the market for hatch covers, ramps, doors, lifts, car decks, and other cargo access and handling equipment. Together with Kvaerner's new partner, MGFE in Japan, the group has established itself as a major

  • MR Feb-24#33  of Business Development, Craig Carter.
TECHNOLOGIES, TURNKEY)
    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 33

    found to THE DECKS be only slightly less damaging than the phased-out traditional WITH BEST-IN-CLASS MARINE oils,” said VP of Business Development, Craig Carter. TECHNOLOGIES, TURNKEY PARTS AND SERVICE Water lubrication has faced its own challenges over the past decade. Individual class societies have gradually

  • MR Feb-24#26 COVER FEATURE
ARC  KEEPING 
THE CARGO ROLLING
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    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 26

    COVER FEATURE ARC KEEPING THE CARGO ROLLING With a ? eet of nine U.S.-? ag RoRo ships, American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group (ARC), is the U.S.’ premier commercial RoRo carrier of U.S. government and military cargo. As the world becomes an increasingly contentious place, Eric P. Ebeling, President

  • MR Feb-24#25  regulatory land-
vesting in low carbon fuel technologies  longer)
    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 25

    touched in your job? newable diesel blends. Wabtec also is in- from a maintenance perspective to allow The ever-changing regulatory land- vesting in low carbon fuel technologies longer unmanned operation. In 2022 we scape on fuels and making sure that we through its’ alternative fuels programs released

  • MR Feb-24#11  much faster 
can deliver more cargo than one human with a)
    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 11

    and costs. that issue. One may argue that one human with a bigger truck These 5-foot wide units will zip through the city much faster can deliver more cargo than one human with a smaller truck, and easier than conventional cars and if they become ubiqui- but in a city like NYC even that argument holds

  • MR Feb-24#10  Set Some Standards for Micro Cargo
By Rik van Hemmen
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    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 10

    Back to the Drawing Board Let’s Set Some Standards for Micro Cargo By Rik van Hemmen s zero carbon cargo efforts are progressing, it is becoming more apparent that the lowest hanging fruit is in the last few miles. This is where a large amount of carbon is expended in delivering small A parcels to

  • MN Feb-24#43 Products
  In-Mar Solutions VETUS Maxwell
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    February 2024 - Marine News page: 43

    Products In-Mar Solutions VETUS Maxwell 1 2 3 Volvo Penta 4 Cambridge Pixel fessional Platform, enables a vessel to Seakeeper 1. In-Mar Solutions: 5 have up to eight power sources, and Alu Pilot Chairs & Deck Rails In-Mar Solutions offers a complete includes matched software, services

  • MN Feb-24#41  Building
Wind LLC and  deck for carriage of cargo to offshore)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 41

    24 technicians and up to six crew. by MidOcean Each vessel features a 100m2 forward deck and a 35m2 aft St Johns Ship Building Wind LLC and deck for carriage of cargo to offshore wind installations. Hornblower Wind LLC—have been delivered. WINDEA Each vessel has the capability of transporting a deadweight

  • MN Feb-24#27  said B&G does not operate car ferries, so LI-
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    February 2024 - Marine News page: 27

    Fleet, which provides ferry and water excursion services on San Francisco Bay and regular ferry service to Sausalito. Murphy said B&G does not operate car ferries, so LI- battery safety is not an issue. However, he expects the USCG to issue LI-battery and ? re safety guidelines soon. Workforce recruitment

  • MN Feb-24#26  that ferries in 2019 globally carried  Fire Protection Working)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 26

    ferry operators and businesses ro-ro (roll on–roll off) ships. Corrigan said that Interferry’s worldwide, calculates that ferries in 2019 globally carried Fire Protection Working Group was a primary source for 4.27 billion passengers and 373 million vehicles (cars, bus- interaction with the ro-ro

  • MT Jan-24#41 All images copyright Jim McNeill/Global Warrior
Since Ice)
    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 41

    All images copyright Jim McNeill/Global Warrior Since Ice Warrior’s founding 23 years ago, more than 450 that our part can be proven, improved and expanded upon,” people have been trained, helping scientists discover Arctic implored McNeill. By assessing the extent of anthropogenic change and delivering

  • MT Jan-24#35  and mountaineering. His career since has taken him)
    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 35

    Revo- education organization, that led to lifelong interests in rock lution through modern society today, have an in- climbing and mountaineering. His career since has taken him herently discordant relationship with the earth, across the harshest ecosystems, including roles in the envi- no longer seeing

  • MT Jan-24#28 SUBSEA VEHICLES DEFENSE
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    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 28

    SUBSEA VEHICLES DEFENSE Knife? sh is a medium-class mine countermeasure UUV designed for deployment off the Littoral Combat Ship. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian M. Brooks/RELEASED be applied to Orca XLUUV 1 through 5, which will be built (encapsulated torpedo) mine.

  • MT Jan-24#14  strategic goals of reducing car-
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    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 14

    to the daily management, enabling our people a comprehensive project management process. to think about the longer-term strategic goals of reducing car- 14 January/February 2024 MTR #1 (1-17).indd 14 1/31/2024 12:59:33 P

  • MT Jan-24#13  
is working with UMS Skeldar to carry 
and deploy its compact)
    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 13

    aircraft. munications intelligence (SIGINT and COMINT) capability into the V-200. Green Valley, Ariz., based Hydronalix is working with UMS Skeldar to carry and deploy its compact unmanned sur- face vessels (USVs) from the V-200. The autonomous Hydronalix USVs can carry sensor packages, serve as commu- nica

  • MT Jan-24#12  Border Guard and funded  will carry a “toolkit” of unmanned)
    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 12

    Vessel Turva as part of the mine countermeasures vessels-- six for each navy -- which Valvonta2 project led by the Finnish Border Guard and funded will carry a “toolkit” of unmanned and offboard systems. by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. That toolkit suite, provided by Exail, includes two Skeldar

  • MR Jan-24#41  this 
AiP: World’s Largest Car Carrier 
route. The ferry)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 41

    hammer size. Thomas, and Cruz Bay on the island of St. John. Currently, two other Incat Crowther-designed 28-m vessels service this AiP: World’s Largest Car Carrier route. The ferry will transport up to 300 passengers at speeds China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. of up to 28 knots, ?

  • MR Jan-24#40 , 
featuring  three cable carousels for a total capacity)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 40

    in 2021. The new ship is the VARD 9 18 design, measuring 185 x 34m and equipped with advanced cable installation solutions, featuring three cable carousels for a total capacity of 19,000 Image courtesy VARD tons. A bollard pull in excess of 180 tons will allow the vessel to perform complex installation

  • MR Jan-24#33 , unlocking  Wasaline can be carbon neutral by 2030.
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    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 33

    capa- ue these reductions through further actions; Ståhlberg hopes bilities give insights into the vessel’s performance, unlocking Wasaline can be carbon neutral by 2030. further operational and technical ef? ciencies. “It’s not only In October, Wasaline launched “Green Corridor Fridays”, about

  • MR Jan-24#32  Aurora Botnia as  els & Decarbonization at Wärtsilä,)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 32

    agreement). gas reduction target. Kenneth Widell, Senior Project Manager, Sustainable Fu- Wasaline CEO Peter Ståhlberg describes Aurora Botnia as els & Decarbonization at Wärtsilä, explained that the engines “a masterpiece of cooperation” and noted that the vessel is are most ef? cient when operating at

  • MR Jan-24#29 , processes, 
need after sales care, spare parts. That’s )
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 29

    do that over there.” and operate something in the feld, you that can not only create, but sustain the Organization of people, processes, need after sales care, spare parts. That’s new network. technologies and suppliers must be what our industry requires.” “This is the business what we do: organized well

  • MR Jan-24#28  we started designing our cargo 
know the cost of a [hydrogen])
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 28

    with hydrogen, particularly in large quantities. but [for example] not many people company’s vessels – regardless of sec- “So we started designing our cargo know the cost of a [hydrogen] compres- tor – can ful? ll their contracts. vessels and we decided, ‘OK, let’s sor; how it works; how you maintain

  • MR Jan-24#26  and diesel-powered vessels  350 cars per year.
asked him to)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 26

    daily runs to and from offshore eliminates the emission’s equivalent of running at speed, CMB CEO Saverys wind farms, and diesel-powered vessels 350 cars per year. asked him to build a ship powered by serving renewable energy platforms CMB.TECH and Boeckmans hydrogen. “Everybody said, ‘Roy, it’s

  • MR Jan-24#20  FEATURE
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    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 20

    TECH FEATURE Figure 4. The vessel’s cargo holds feature Figure 5. The walls of the cargo holds All images courtesy of The Interlake Steamship Company ? at bottoms that accommodate the use bene? t from a zinc-based coating that of heavy machinery, which necessitated provides durability in an area

  • MR Jan-24#15  
sector is to ever become truly carbon 
neutral. Future fuels)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 15

    impact on operational ef? ciency. This hybrid assisted approach will be necessary going forward if the shipping sector is to ever become truly carbon neutral. Future fuels, such as methanol will play a signi? cant role, but their mainstream availability will likely be limited for several decades