Interesting Ship of The Week - MARLIN 2000 Blue container feeders

This weeks interesting ship is the next generation MARLIN 2000 Blue feeder ship. The Cardiff-based Graig Group has ordered a series of up to 26 of these new vessels to be built at the Jin Hai shipyard complex in China, with the first two scheduled for delivery in August and September of 2013.

The MARLIN 2000 Blue series is designed in response to the industry’s need for quality, fuel efficient, competitively-priced and environmentally-friendly feeder ships to service the massive containerships now being brought into service by the major lines.

The MARLIN series of designs has been developed by WÃ¤rtsilÃ¤, working closely with Graig and classification major DNV. The designs are the product of extensive research and tank testing and consultation with end users. With a number of design variants, the series delivers approximately 30% improved fuel efficiency per TEU, improved capacity and slow steaming potential, better loading flexibility for different container types including a high reefer intake combined with lower emissions when compared to vessels currently in service.

There are three basic MARLIN designs. All feature an optimised hull shape, increased capacity and forward accommodation. The MARLIN 2000 Blue is a Bangkok-max, direct diesel powered and provides 30% fuel savings per day per TEU carried while carrying 20% more boxes. It has a wide and flexible range of service speeds delivering fuel savings across the speed spectrum from as little as 10 knots to about 20 knots.

In addition to MARLIN 2000 Blue, targeted at the current needs of the high growth intra-Asia trades, are two more MARLIN concept designs which will become more attractive to charterers as air emission standards tighten and bunker costs rise. MARLIN 2500 Jade is slightly larger and diesel powered but is delivered with either scrubber or SCR emission reduction technology, while offering similar fuel and efficiency gains. MARLIN 2500 Green is aimed at the market for feeder vessels in ECAS (Emission Control Areas) and provides the option for dual fuel and LNG powering.

Via Graig Group