Nordana has a wide variety of ships serving the ro-ro and breakbulk sector in services around the world. The Copenhagen-based shipowner operates liner and project divisions and is in the process of a major fleet renewal.
Nordana is undergoing a renewal process with the introduction of the Italian built MV Wedellsborg.
Nordana is undergoing a renewal process with the introduction of the Italian built MV Wedellsborg.
AJOT: The ro-ro fleet is undergoing a renewal process with the introduction of the Italian built MV Wedellsborg. Could you give a few details on the advantages that the new design offers? Nordana: The design is optimized for best fuel efficiency and thus applies new innovative ideas from propulsion and hull design making it possible to reach higher speeds with less consumption. With Twin propellers/engines and 2 bow thrusters the vessels are highly maneuverable and can as such operate on their own in most conditions in ports, and thereby save costs for tugs. AJOT: How many ro-ro vessels are on order and how did Nordana determine where to build? Nordana: We have received one new building and have an option for one more. The yard in Italy offered attractive financing terms coupled with many years of experience in building ro-ro vessels, and as such they provided a very strong package. AJOT: How do the new vessels impact service schedules and what is the timetable for deliveries? Nordana: Vessels have already been delivered and phased in to service with minimal service disruptions. AJOT: Overall, how do you see the ro-ro market performing over the next few years? Nordana: Over the last few years a lot of older ro-ro vessels have been decommissioned and thus we expect that the demand for ro-ro vessels, although still weak, will improve in the years to come and especially for the larger vessels with capacity of 2600 lane meters. AJOT: In the multi-purpose/heavy lift sector Nordana has also placed orders for a number of ships. As we understand it, the 12,000-dwt ships are being built by Taizhou Sanfu and are a newer version of the Great Dane design. Could you explain a little about the design and how the newer ships are different? Nordana: The Great Dane Mark 2 vessel type has two cargo holds compared to the MK 1 type having three holds. This gives better flexibility for loading over-length cargoes, etc. In addition the new generation of the Great Dane type have the highest standards in terms of eco and ballast separation systems and thus consume considerably fewer bunkers at sea. AJOT: The crane size appears to have a larger load capacity, how did you settle in on 500 tonne from 300 tonne lifting capacity? Nordana: The 2 x 250 mts cranes combinable to 500 mts lifting capacity is more or less the maximum load a vessel of this size can do in ballast without having any special external stability pontoons fitted, etc. and this was the reason for not putting on even larger cranes. The new cranes are fully electric and not hydraulic operated making the maintenance less and more importantly, giving the ability of a more precise cargo handling and placement of delicate heavy lift cargoes. AJOT: There is a big emphasis now on being eco-friendly and efficient. How did these attributes work into the design? Nordana: The vessel’s main engines are of the 2 stroke type instead of the 4 stroke type, this enables the vessel to be operated at a 15 knots service speed down through a wide range of super economical slow steaming speeds, as low as 8-9 knots. Even at 15 knots service speed the consumption is 30% less. Apart from these changes, there has been a lot of focus on other heat and energy savings/isolations etc. throughout the vessel’s construction. AJOT: How many ships are to be delivered in the class and what is the time period? Nordana: A total of eight newbuildings have been ordered being delivered from May 2015 up to November 2017. AJOT: How do you anticipate these ships being deployed? Nordana: The vessels will be employed worldwide with special emphasis on the trade lanes between Europe/Med/USA and South East Asia/PRC/Korea/India and Japan. AJOT: Overall, how do you see the project cargo market for ocean transport? Nordana: 2014 has been a better year for Nordana Project and Chartering than 2013 and we expect to see a stronger market during 2015, which we expect to improve further during 2016/2017. AJOT: Do you have any other specialized carriers on the order book? Nordana: Starting from April 2015 up to end 2016, Nordana is taking delivery of six Nordana Symphony ecobox vessels, which are on a long-term charter deal to Nordana. These vessels are versatile 10,500 dwt open hatch MPP tween deckers geared 2x85 mts with the bridge forward. These vessels have large cargo holds with a clear length of more than 90 meters. The ships are also ocean-going approved with open weather deck hatches enabling them to carry a wide range of over height cargoes and are thus very suitable for a variety of project type freight.