PCJ 2022 Review: Q2’s most read
The year 2022 has been filled with exciting projects and interviews, but for the next couple of days, we will look into the articles that have got the most attention from our readers, quarter by quarter. Below, we will look into the articles that our readers found most interesting in the second quarter of the year.
Block wire snaps during test lift causing Saipem 7000 to list
In the morning hours of Thursday a loud explosion alarmed the the inhabitants of Amoyfjorden (Norway) as well as the 275 people on board the stricken Saipem 7000 vessel. Luckily no one was injured, despite the vessel tilted initially with two barges being damaged and ending up capsized.
talian engineering major, Saipem noted that the vessel has just completed DP trials per DNV testing program and was performing the planned five-year main cranes load test, under the watchful eye of the classification society.
According to witness reports to the Norwegian media outlet VG loud bangs were heard before the semi-submersible crane vessel developed a list. Following the incident, Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Southern Norway immediately informed that barges next to the crane vessel sustained a lot of damage and capsized.
German dockers’ strike could cause further delays across European ports
The ongoing discussions between German United Service Union (ver.di) and the Central Association of German Seaport Companies (ZDS) could cause further delays across not only German but also other ports across Europe. German dockers are holding their ground in the negotiations with the ZDS, and ver.di has called on several thousands of employees in various seaports to go on warning strikes for several hours during Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Ver.di negotiator, Maya Schwiegershausen-Güth, has called the offer made the ZDS to be “completely inadequate.” On the other hand, ZDS said the call for strikes is irresponsible.
ZDS negotiator Ulrike Riedel, said, “We are in the middle of an absolutely exceptional situation. Global supply chains are severely disrupted. On the one hand, a large wave of delayed ships is approaching us, on the other hand, there are major bottlenecks in rail freight traffic. Calling for warning strikes now is absolutely irresponsible.”
Rotra Vente makes first delivery after modifications
Following the upgrade completion on the Rotra Mare, Holland Shipyards Group has completed the upgrade of its sister vessel, the Rotra Vente. Amasus commissioned upgrades at the end of last year, and the vessel arrived at Holland Shipyards Group facilities at Hardinxveld-Giessendam.
After undergoing changes that have readied it for the next generations of windmill equipment, the Rotra Vente performed her first voyage with nacelles to Rotterdam.
Spliethoff’s heavy-lift newbuild gets Huisman cranes
Huisman and Splitehoff have each reached a milestone during the construction of the new heavy-lift vessel Brouwersgracht at Mawei shipyard in Fuzhou, China. One was for Spliethoff and the construction progress of the vessel and the second milestone being the delivery of the 100th Huisman HLMC.
Huisman delivered the first mast crane of its kind in 1984 to the BigLift Shipping’s heavy lift vessel Happy Buccaneer that is still operating today.
BOCS and UAL join forces on new shipping line
Bremen Overseas Chartering and Shipping (BOCS) has partnered with the Dutch breakbulk shipping specialist Universal Africa Line (UAL) setting up a joint venture for the Mediterranean and Black Sea to and from West Africa.
The UAL BOCS Shipping Line BV (UBSL), will be based in Capelle aan den IJssel in the Netherlands and will not only continue the already existing UAL Mediterranean Service, but also expand by the additional expertise and tonnage from the BOCS group.
Together, the new service can draw on the fleet of both existing shipping lines, totalling of 19 modern, geared MPP vessels ranging from 8.000 dwt until 33.000 dwt, equipped with ships gear up to 360 mt lifting capacity.
