We celebrated a new milestone when Bow Orion and Bow Olympus, now the world's largest stainless steel chemical tankers, were formally named on July 1st. Odfjell executives, shareholders, partners, lady sponsors, as well as the shipboard management teams (SMT) of the two vessels were present during the ceremony at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding shipyard in China. The naming was also marked at Odfjell offices and vessels worldwide.
Bow Orion and Bow Olympus are the first two of the four 49,000 dwt stainless steel chemical tankers ordered from Hudong. With 33 cargo tanks in duplex stainless steel giving a cargo capacity of approximately 55,000 cubic meters, and engines that run at 75 rpm consuming 14% less fuel compared to the older vessels in the fleet, these supersegregators will be among the world’s most efficient and eco-friendly.
Bow Orion's nine-day sea trial commenced the day after the naming ceremony. The first three days were spent for shipyard testing, and the official sea trial followed from the fourth day onwards.
The vessel welcomed around 170 experts onboard, representing Odfjell, the shipyard, DNV GL, equipment producers’ engineers and technicians - and the site team: Newbuilding Surveyor Lars Skjelbred, Captain Kjell Arne Hevrøy, Senior Project Manager Arnt Kåre Simonsen Meyer, VP Project Newbuilding Geir Almestad, Fleet Electrical Engineer Pio Omelan, and Surveyor Electrical & Automation Generek Mariño.
"Expectedly, we were excited especially on the first day, as that was our first time to experience an opportunity like this," said Chief Engineer Jennifer Mosqueda, echoed by Second Engineer Solomon Salhay.
During the sea trial, all equipment and every aspect in all parts of the vessel - from the steering gear and rescue boat on deck to the noise measurement in the accommodation - were tested for functionality and for compliance with regulations and requirements of DNV GL, the classification society to which the Hudong vessels belong.
The vessel was also subjected to speed test, energy efficiency design index verification, and evaluation of maneuvering characteristics during ballast, scantling and loaded condition. Actual fuel consumption while engines and machineries were running was checked against the calculated consumptions.
“The sea trial was well-planned. A daily schedule was made so the testings were witnessed by representatives from the class, owner and shipyard, allowing for some adjustments in case technical issues caused delays. We also had a pre-departure meeting, and every day at 08:00 LT we had follow-up meetings together with the owner, class and shipyard".
Captain Randy Allan Cabiao
The SMT and officers of Bow Orion completed three weeks of technical training while the vessel was being prepared for sailing. The group has received trainings from Hudong Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. (HHM) for main engine operation, Scanjet for tank cleaning machines operation and maintenance, Sperry Marine for bridge equipment, and Kongsberg for engine room systems, to name a few.
Apart from getting themselves ready for Bow Orion's maiden voyage, the crew were also involved in preparing the ship and its documents.
"We prepared the mandatory posters, evaluated instruction manuals specific for Bow Orion, and gathered data to build our Q88 information. Establishing an Odfjell standard documentation is not an easy task, but it was a welcome challenge for all of us."
Chief Officer Julius Oaferina
The preparations continued with drills, completion of ship specific procedures, installation of equipment, and planning of provisions. The team also ensured that all issues that arose during the sea trial were addressed, and that all test results were finalized to serve as reference for upcoming voyages.
Bow Orion was officially delivered on August 26, 2019 at 18:30 local time in Shanghai, China.
The vessel has completed its SIRE inspection and is now underway to Ulsan, South Korea, where it will undergo another inspection, this time from CDI. Bow Orion will load her first cargo — 23850 mt of sulphuric acid — in Ulsan, and deliver it in Mejillones, Chile.
Photos courtesy of Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, Randy Allan Cabiao, and Geir Almestad
