China’s first Lloyd’s Register-classed ship of 2010 has been delivered to Dutch owners by China Changjiang National Shipping’s (CSC) Jinling Shipyard, initiating celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of the formation of the world’s first classification society.
Dynamogracht, the last in a series of eight 17,000 dwt multi-purpose carriers (MPC) ordered by Spliethoff at the yard, was delivered under the Dutch flag this week from Jinling’s new facility at Yizhen, about 300 kilometres up the Yangtze River from Shanghai.
The ship, which was also built to handle heavy lift cargoes and features the Lloyd’s Register ice-class notation 1A FS, is designed to carry more than 1000 containers and maintain a cruising speed of 17-18 knots. It is the 8th and last vessel of Spliethoff’s D-type order at Jinling yard, all built to Lloyd’s Register class.
Providing Solutions to Technical Challenges
‘Completing 250 years under the same company brand is a rare and admirable achievement in any industry. But, for Lloyd’s Register, this year will not be about celebrating history. It will be about celebrating our proven ability to stay at the forefront of the kind of technical innovations that support a sustainable shipping industry,’ said Nick Brown, Country & Marine Manager for Lloyd’s Register Classification Society (China). ‘Industry insight and expertise have proven our most enduring products. Because time-honoured clients such as Spliethoff and Jinling not only count on our experience, they expect us to provide solutions for the technical challenges they will face in the future.’
Brown said his company’s gap-analysis services, which give shipyards a roadmap to compliance with the IMO’s new Performance Standard for Protective Coatings, and the introduction of welding and non-destructive examination specialists to its Technical Performance Group were recent examples of this.
Preferred Classification Society
According to Frank Louwers, Spliethoff’s Director, Lloyd’s Register has been his company’s preferred classification society for both newbuildings and existing ships for many years, and was chosen for this order due to its extensive knowledge of Chinese shipyards and wide experience with MPCs.
‘Although we have diversified our shipping activities in recent years, dry bulk and break bulk multi-purpose carriers remain the backbone of our business. We expect that fleet to be further strengthened by these vessels for many years to come,’ said Louwers. ‘Jinling delivered all eight vessels in this order well within the contracted timeframe, which is rare these days. They are operating well all over the world, fulfilling our commitments as a global operator.’
Largest Single Share for Jinling
Jinling Shipyard, the largest shipyard in the CSC Group, has more than thirty vessels contracted to Lloyd’s Register class on its orderbook, the largest single share of any class society.
