Despite the ongoing shipping crisis, Becker Marine Systems says it is on course for 2013. Recently, the Hamburg-based company was awarded the contract to equip five 18,000 TEU container ships under construction for China Shipping Container Lines with effective high-performance rudders
W[ds_preview]ith a transport capacity of 18,000 standard containers, the container ships currently under construction for China Shipping Container Lines at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea will be among the largest cargo ships in the world. The shipyard designated Becker Marine Systems for delivery of large, high-performance rudders required to operate these container giants.
»This Chinese shipping company sets great store in the quality of the rudders,« says Henning Kuhlmann, Managing Director of Becker Marine Systems. »Relevant towing tank tests conducted in Asia turned out positively in favour of our rudders.« Due to customization, ships equipped with a Becker rudder were more fuel-efficient and robust than those employing conventional rudder technology, Kuhlmann says.
Furthermore, Becker Marine Systems was awarded an order for eleven Twisted Leading Edge King Support Rudders (TLKSR). They are being provided for 10,000 TEU ships belonging to Seaspan Ship Management based in Canada. »It’s entirely possible for us to be awarded subsequent orders, because this series is likely to be extended to a total of 20 to 25 ships,« Kuhlmann says.Added to this is an order for four rudders for 9,400 TEU container ships belonging to Italy-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) as well as flap rudders for two Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) ships manufactured in China.
More Becker Mewis Ducts ordered
After Becker Marine Systems was able to sell its 500th Becker Mewis Duct in August this year, being installed in a ship belonging to Germany-based Oldendorff Carriers in China next year, yet more orders for this highly efficient energy-saving nozzle have been placed:
• One Becker Mewis Duct for a 81,000 dwt bulk carrier belonging to India-based Great Eastern Shipping Company.
• Four ducts for 93,000 dwt bulk carriers owned by D’Amato, an Italian shipping company.
• Two ducts for 37,500 dwt »Seahorse« bulk carriers owned by the Nordic Hamburg Group shipping company.
• Two ducts for 57,000 dwt bulk carriers of EF Shipping based in Greece.
Kuhlmann is satisfied with these new orders and the development of business for the year overall: »Despite the difficult market environment with extreme price pressure for both shipyards and ship suppliers, we have already more than fulfilled our order planning for 2013,« he says. The company is thus looking to the coming year with confidence
