LPG CARRIERS SHIPYARD SUPERVISION

Houlder provided shipyard assessment, supervision and technical support for the construction of two 4000m3 LPG carriers at the ‘Cantiere Nevale di Pesaro (CNP)’ yard in Pesaro, Italy. The vessels, purchased by Allocean from Monte-Carlo based MCCS, were two of a total of six new-build semi-refrigerated LPG carriers initially ordered by MCCS from CNP shipyard. Houlder was initially contracted to ascertain the risk involved in purchasing the LPG carriers from a shipbuilder that was unknown to Allocean and to give them confidence in their purchase decision. Amongst other things the work scope involved Construction Managers and Naval Architects from Houlder visiting the yard on a regular basis; along with four other locations where fabrication work took place along the Italian coast. Houlder was also involved in the liaison with Classification and Flag State Authorities for the change of Class and Registry of the vessels to the UK Flag. Allocean invested in the LPG carriers due to the great opportunities in the sector and due to the fact that there was a shortage of semi-refrigerated ships of that tonnage at the time. In addition to this analysis of the worldwide LPG fleet showed that 50% of LPG carriers would be soon be 20 years old and so out of the market. The carriers also offered the benefit that due to their size that they offer flexibility of use in both the chemical and liquefied-gas charter markets. Designed by Giorgio La Valle from Marine Engineering Services, Trieste, Italy, the new builds were based on two previous vessels (hulls 82 & 83) with the differences being a double hull in way of fuel tanks, changes in RINA Rules and the application of the Alternative Propulsion Notation.

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