Transport & Offshore Services has embarked on the last voyage to deliver a series of three identical new-build bulk carriers. Following the successful delivery of the Eagle and the Falcon, the final ship, the Hawk, will set off this week. The vessels are unique in that they are propelled by four jet thrusters.
The bulk carriers were specially designed to transport iron ore over shallow water. The new-build vessels were delivered from China to the United Arab Emirates. This was a specialised job, due mainly to the unique propulsion method, the shape and the relative draught. Propulsion by means of jet thrusters is normal in inland shipping and for harbour service vessels.
Technical Details
The bulk carriers have a length of 130 metres and a width of 27.5 metres, with a draught of 3.5 metres. The four Caterpillar engines together generate 3280 kW and four Jan Verhaar Omega jet thrusters provide the propulsion.
This series is a turnkey operation for TOS, involving services as the supply of personnel, preparations for the voyage, temporary communication systems, stores, bunkering during the stopovers, daily reports to the client and instruction of and transfer to the new owner.
