The ‘Lucky Eyre’ Departs for Lucky Bay
The Lucky Eyre Transhipper vessel has set out on another voyage. The 87m grain transhipment vessel departed this week and is currently en-route to Lucky Bay in South Australia.
Introducing Our Newest Vessel: The Sara
The team at Sea Transport Solutions is very excited to announce the addition of a new vessel—The Sara. Specifically designed to haul heavy mining machinery, this vessel is already hard at work assisting a range of key mining contracts.
Friday Flashback: The Floating Harbour Transhipper
Well OK, this study was only completed about 7 years ago but just in case you haven’t seen the Experimental Study on the Relative Motions Between a Floating Harbour Transhipper and a Feeder Vessel in Regular Waves – Here it is
Well OK, this study was only completed about 7 years ago but just in case you haven’t seen the Experimental Study on the Relative Motions Between a Floating Harbour Transhipper and a Feeder Vessel in Regular Waves – Great reading about “The Floating Harbour Transhipper” (FHT) which is a pioneering logistics solution designed to meet the growing demands for coastal transhipment in the mining sector as well as commercial port operations. The main advantage of the FHT system is that it can reduce transhipment delays caused by inclement weather, by reducing relative motions between the FHT and feeder vessel. Brought to you by the best in the business.
Can you see any new possibilities for this type of technology?
For more information on Sea Transport Solutions’ studies and vessel design services, contact us today.
Sea Transport Ship Model Testing
The model testing period of designing a marine vessel plays a critical role right from the very basic design stages.
Ship model testing by Sea Transport Solutions began in 1986 with bulbous bow developments on catamarans. Various bulb shapes and sizes were tested including pear, circular and elliptical. Hulls without bulbs were also tested.
The most effective bulb improved calm water speed by an impressive 1.5 knots and significantly reduced the motions and accelerations during a sea-state could better maintain head speed in comparison to conventional catamarans and mono-hull vessels.
In 1997, STS won an international tender for P&O in India for a 15-metre passenger ferry. The ferry design required low accelerations at the LCG (the main aspect of sea-sickness, yet frequency dependent) without the use of external appendages for ride control. An efficient hull was required and so tests were undertaken on a 1:3 scale model that proved beneficial.
Additional tests conducted were on varying LCB-LCF separations and locations with a 1:10 scale semi-SWATH model located at the Australian Maritime College’s towing tank. These tests quantified both the accelerations and motions as well as the frequency of the heave and pitch RAOs. The results found by STS correlated well with similar research papers.
Bulb modifications were made and the testing process was repeated, which resulted in a 23% pitch-motion reduction. Vertical accelerations at the LCG were reduced by 15% and considerably more at the vessel’s wheelhouse. Calm-water resistance was recorded post-modifications revealing that very low resistance was maintained.
STS CEO, Mr. Ross Ballantyne, concluded that development and research work should be constant for leading-edge innovations of the Australian marine industry to be sustained into the future.
For more information on Sea Transport Solutions’ bankable feasibility studies and vessel design services, contact us today.
Lucky Eyre Transhipper Vessel Arrives Safely in Shanghai
Transhipper Vessel Lucky Eyre leaving shipyard at Guangzhou, China
The team at Sea Transport Solutions is proud to announce that the new transhipment vessel dubbed ‘Lucky Eyre’, has successfully completed her one week journey from the shipyard in Guangzhou to Shanghai in China, covering her first 1,670 kilometres with ease.
The new vessel departed for Shanghai early last month, where she will be retrofitted with the STS designed Materials Handling System (MHS) for the export of grain.
Lucky Eyre, an 87M grain transhipper designed by the ship design experts at STS (partnering with T-Ports), is right on schedule to begin operation at the new grain port in South Australia’s Lucky Bay where she will responsible for delivering an estimated 10,800 to 13,250 tonnes of cargo daily from the port to larger, deepwater vessels.
Upon completion of the MHS retrofitting work in Shanghai, Lucky Eyre will be departing China for South Australia to start exporting this coming harvest season.
Once in operation, the new Lucky Bay port is estimated to provide grain farmers with savings up to $5 to $20 per tonne in transportation costs along with another $25 to $40 per tonne when importing fertiliser back to the port.
Transhipment Operations and Ship Design Services
For more information on our transhipment operation and ship design services, please contact the friendly team at Sea Transport here or call us at +61 7 5529 5777.
Ferry Design: Monohull Versus Catamaran
An analysis in efficiency and operability in the medium-speed, medium-sized ferry sector.
This article was written based on the research conducted by Dr. Alf Baird, former Professor of Maritime Business at Edinburgh Napier University.
In the small to medium-size ferry industry, controversy continues about which hull type is greater in efficiency and operability: the monohull or the multi-hull. Much of the debate centres around the long-held belief that multi-hull ferries have an operational weakness in comparison to their single-hull competitor.
But today, this belief isn’t necessarily the case, considering the increasing number of medium-speed RO-PAX catamarans that have been built in the past few decades.
So which hull-type is best for ferry operations?
Let’s look at the one-on-one comparison study conducted by Dr. Alf Baird between a medium-speed monohull and a multi-hull catamaran RO-PAX ferry. Both ferries have similar vehicle deck space, speed and operate within fairly short island routes that occasionally experience severe weather and rough seas.
The considerations in the comparison study were:
- Efficiency:
Each ferry’s design aims to minimise a vessel’s block coefficient, its resistance, and its displacement, while striving to increase the revenue earning deadweight. - Motion Sickness Incidence:
‘MSI’ or Motion Sickness Incidence is a function of motion and extent of time. Catamarans have a different motion to monohulls; however, this doesn’t necessarily mean the MSI is greater for a catamaran than a monohull. - Manoeuvrability
Catamarans are known for having the ability to manoeuvre in confined port areas even during strong winds due to their widely spaced hulls. Monohulls tend to experience more cancellations due to unfavourable weather and are much more difficult to handle in confined port spaces. - Sea Keeping
‘Seakeeping’ refers to a vessel’s ability to withstand and maintain speed during poor weather conditions and high waves. - Other Factors:
Each ferry’s overall level of safety, the quality of evacuation procedures and cost to operate are considered.
The conclusions found in Baird’s study were that:
- Efficiency:
The catamaran was found to have a smaller block coefficient1 and, due to significantly lower resistance, the catamaran requires less power to perform at the same speed and carrying capacity of a monohull. - Motion Sickness Incidence:
The catamaran was found to have an advantage over motion sickness thanks to its specifically designed shape which reduces the likelihood of slamming and rolling. - Manoeuvrability and Seakeeping:
The catamaran’s specific design features, such as its slender bow form and its widely spaced hulls result in a vessel that can operate both in tight areas and in adverse weather conditions. The monohull was found to have a much higher rate of cancellation due to weather and port size. - Safety:
The catamaran was found to have an advantage over the monohull with regards to its superior safety and evacuation features and its lower environmental impact. - Cost:
The comparison shows that the catamaran has a considerably reduced operating costs that its monohull competitor and is far less likely to experience cancellations due to environmental factors.
Dr. Baird’s comparison study concludes that medium-speed RO-PAX catamarans offer very good seakeeping, a greater manoeuvrability in port and overall lower operating costs than comparable monohull vessels, making them the ideal choice for operations in the medium-speed, medium-sized ferry sector.
1 the ratio of the volume of the displacement of a ship to that of a rectangular block having the same length, breadth, and draft.
At Sea Transport our team of ferry operation consultants are experts in finding ferry solutions through our bankable feasibility studies and operations management services no matter the transport task and size.
For more information on our ferry operation services, please click here.
To view our ferry fleet, please click here.
Supporting Innovations in Marine Safety
Our team of naval architects are excited to be in cooperation with the United Kingdom’s University of Strathclyde in testing a new, potentially life-saving technology suitable for existing and new vessels referred to as DSRS or (Damage Stability Recovery System).
Read our full article to learn more about this exciting new innovation in marine safety.
T&T Government Purchases New RORO Catamaran
Sea Transport Solutions is pleased to announce that the brand-new STS-Designed RORO passenger and cargo ferry dubbed ‘The Galleons Passage’ will be operating the sea route between Trinidad and Tobago after its purchase this past January.
This 74-metre catamaran has an aluminium superstructure comprising a steel hull design, a capacity of 700 people and up to 100 vehicles, a maximum speed of 22 knots and, due to its 2.75 metre draft, it can berth anywhere at the Port of Spain harbour including the ferry terminal without dredging.
The Galleons Passage, whose name was inspired by the route it is set to run of the same name, is expected to arrive from China sometime in mid May, 2018.
Galleons Passage leaving China
Imbert also stated that the new vessel is intended to assist with the sea bridge while the other passenger vessels are drydocked for repairs but did add that the vessel is ‘perfect’ for the Toco-to-Tobago route as that journey will take only one hour.
The naval architects and ship designers at Sea Transport are confident that The Galleons Passage will meet the high expectations held by both the T&T Government and the route’s future passengers.
Fore more information on Sea Transport’s ferry designs, please click here or get in touch with our head office.
Two New Vessels Introduced to Philippines Fleet
The Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC) is responsible servicing and connecting the 7,107 islands of the Philippines through their FASTCAT Ferry services. Sea Transport Solutions has been an integral part of the ferry service’s growth through building and delivering vessels that are safe, reliable and efficient.
Our point of difference in providing the Philippines with their only Roll-on/Roll-off catamaran service has given APFC an advantage in offering their customers more options in their travel.
The reputation of the FASTCAT Ferry Services throughout the Philippines continues to grow due to the company’s unwavering commitment to safety and adhering to international standards when it comes to sea travel.
With more and more people using their ferry service to travel in between destinations in the Philippines, Sea Transport Solutions in partnership with Guangdong Bonny Fair Heavy Industry Ltd, is proud to announce another two vessels have been launched in the APFC fleet bringing the fleet to a total of twelve vessels.
We have no doubt that through their attention to quality, detail and passenger safety that this fleet will continue to grow over the coming years as will our professional relationship with the team at Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation.
Raising the Bar in Safety
Sea Transport Solutions is proud of be part of the collaborative team that is raising the safety standards for Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation’s passenger ferry services. The new motto for APFC, “Ferry safe, ferry fast and ferry convenient”, is based on the firm goal to provide safer, more comfortable and more reliable ferry services to the Philippines.
The APFC has ferry transportation routes that seamlessly connect the 7, 107 islands of the Philippines including the country’s very first new Catamaran RORO (Roll on, Roll Off) ferries.
The focus to improve passenger safety, comfort and welfare prompted APFC to contact Sea Transport Solutions in order to bring the Philippines its first fleet of 10 RO-PAX (Roll on Roll Off Passenger Ship) vessels that were fully compliant with international standards for damage stability, firefighting and lifesaving.
Within the first 2 years of re-fleeting with these new vessels, APFC has run successful operations on both the eastern and western corridors of the country. The key to the success of APFC is centered on time, safety, reliability and positive feedback from passengers, as well as the fact that APFC was bold enough to look at a new and innovative ferry design.
“So far, we have made significant impact on safety and the travel time of people and cargo within the islands because the ferries used are far faster than the second hand-tonnage operating in the country.” Chet Pastrana, Chairman of the APFC. Sea Transport Solutions has worked as part of the collaborative team to raise safety standards and awareness for the country’s ferry services which was in need of new systems and practices.
“The Philippines has the worst maritime record in the world for a single incident and I would really like to change that stigma that the Philippines does not adhere to safety standards. We’ve initiated a modernisation program and other ship-owners will follow, and we can be proud that the Philippines is genuinely trying to get away from the perception that we are not responsible ship-owners.”
– Chet Pastrana, APFC Chairman
The system put in place by APFC is similar to that of airlines. Through investing in systems such as seat allocation, strict boarding controls and new technology, the company now has complete control over their passenger numbers and aware of the operations on their vessels at all times and in real time. “We want to be able to raise the standard of service and to provide a safer and more comfortable means of transportation,” explains Mr. Pastrana. “We hope Archipelago’s initiatives will encourage other owners to follow its example of safe, modern tonnage.”
“What we are offering is the convenience of daily departures, not having to wait for a container to be filled and not having to wait for it at the port,” says Mr. Pastrana. “Essentially the company is offering a point-to-point delivery of goods and people and there is no multiple handling. It’s a door-to-door service.”
Sea Transport Solutions is proud to be affiliated with assisting companies to improve their systems, their safety, their operations and ultimately their company’s reputation.