'Aquila', the first in a new series of Supramax bulk carrier designs optimised to burn less fuel oil, has been delivered in China.
Built by Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry, China, for operator Delphin, the design appraisal, build and sea trials were supervised by Lloyd's Register to verify the of a 57,000DWT ship's performance. The ship's efficiency improvements have been achieved by carrying out a number of changes including: de-rating the main engine, a new propeller design optimised for the de-rated engine, and fitting a mewis duct.
The daily main engine consumption at a speed of 14 knots at ballast draft, which would have been about 29.4 tonnes, is now about 26 tonnes and the daily main engine consumption at a speed of 13.5 knots at design draft, which would have been about 29.8 tonnes daily, is now about 26.30 tonnes. The engine's output has been reduced by nearly 1,000kW to 8,500kW.
Ship designers SDARI said that the structure of this new type BC57K has been, "optimised, satisfying the latest requirements in the Common Structural Rules for bulk carriers, especially to accommodate the severe strength requirement of steel coils. The new ship will be able to load about 54,000 tonnes of steel coils during one voyage with little increase of light weight. Now, the vessel also meets the requirements of EEDI-PHASE I."