Seven Oceans, designed and built by IHC Merwede and Huisman, was chosen Ship of the Year 2008 at the Maritime Awards Gala yesterday. Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs Maria van der Hoeven presented the award.
Seven Oceans is a multifunctional and complex ship. Its most important job is underwater pipe laying from a reel up to a depth of 3000 metres. The maximum diameter of the pipes is 16 inch. With a 400 ton crane, the ship can also place installations on the ocean-floor, be used as a support vessel for unmanned submarines and ROV’s, perform pipe inspections etc.
Creating from Functionalities
What was so special in designing the vessel is that focus was not on changing an existing vessel type, but creating a entirely new ship where the functions it had to fulfill were the basis. The close cooperation between client, builder and equipment suplier resulted in a remarkable ship within a remarkably short time.
The Nominees
Deen Shipping’s M.T.S. Apollo is a special kind of C tanker. Through the use of the ‘Scheldehuid’, the ship is equipped with integral tanks and a double-walled shell. In so doing, the ship complies with the ADNR 2005 Guideline, which makes it possible to sail with fewer, but larger tanks (12 instead of 24). The larger tanks offer economic advantages and the reduced number of tanks make the ship safer.
KRI Diponegoro is the first naval vessel designed with the Sigma Concept. This concept uses standard geometry of ship and systems, so that a ship is composed of different modules. This saves both costs and time. In addition, with this vessel, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding has created a new type of naval vessel that strengthens the Netherlands’ position on the export market.
The Maritime Awards Gala 2008
The 2008 edition was the third Maritime Awards Gala. The night was presented by Roelof Hemmen and Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs, Maria van der Hoeven, presented the awards. The gala took place in the World Forum Convention Centre in The Hague. Representatives from all over maritime industry were present.
The evening started with a reception, followed by the award ceremony which had several musical performances. Afterwards, the guests sat down for dinner. The evening was concluded with drinks and merriment where a band provided musical accompaniment.
Curious about the Maritime Awards Gala? https://www.swzonline.nl/fotoverslag/4[Visit our online photoalbum!]
