Daewoo's New Shandong Shipyard Delivers First Ship, a Supramax for Rethymnis & Kulukundis

Image: Lloyd’s Register

Principals of Rethymnis & Kulukundis Ltd., the UK-based shipbrokers and agents, have taken delivery of the first vessel built at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering’s (DSME) new shipyard at Yantai, Shandong, China.

The 58,518 dwt Astra Centaurus, built to Lloyd’s Register class, is the first of two DSME-designed supramax bulk carriers constructed by DSME Shandong to the latest environmental and structural standards. The second ship, Astra Perseus, is expected to be delivered in September 2012.

“This is a very significant delivery for us because MV Astra Centaurus is the first green bulk carrier of our newbuilding project,” Monioudis said. “The delivery was greatly assisted by Lloyd’s Register’s worldwide network of technical experts in South Korea, the UK, Greece and China, who provided excellent levels of service. For this, we wish to extend to Lloyd’s Register and DSME our most heartfelt thanks.”

Designed to reduce emissions in port, the Astra Centaurus is able to operate on distillate fuels in accordance with the latest California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations, is equipped with an approved UV ballast-water treatment system, and records a comprehensive inventory of hazardous materials in accordance with Lloyd’s Register’s Green Passport service.

This pair of supramax bulk carriers was contracted in 2010 and designed to comply with IACS’s Common Structural Rules and constructed in accordance with ShipRight Construction Monitoring procedures, while the accommodation arrangements comply with the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006). Astra Centaurus has been enrolled in SERS, Lloyd’s Register’s Ship Emergency Response program.