Shipping news New generation of tankers

Press, 2 June 1981, Page 23

Shipping news New generation of tankers

Inefficient very large crude oil carriers appear to be on the way out. according to the marine coordinator of Shell International Petroleum.

Mr Richard Tookey said he can see a case for scrapping such tankers and a continuing trend for conversions from steam to diesel with a new generation of tankers about to come forth which will be more economically viable and flexible. He also advocates lower tanker speeds. It makes sense, he said, to operate tankers at speeds of between 12 and 13 knots to conserve fuel instead of the 15 to 16 knot speeds at which such large tankers are currently operated. One ship owner, John Reksten, of Norway, has found another use for obsolete large crude oil tankers. He is offering five of the massive vessels as converted floating hotels for offshore oilfields as an alternative to conventional accommodation rigs. The plan,involves the installation of accommodation modules on the decks of the tankers, which would have a housing capacity for as many as 1300 people. ARRIVALS Austral Envoy (5.45 a.m) 30.990, Melbourne (Dalgety). Coastal Trader (7.57 a.rri.) 2500, Auckland (S.C.N.Z.). DEPARTURES British Security (6.29 a.m.; 15,095, Suva (Dalgety). Coastal Trader (4 p.m. approx.) 2500, Dunedin (S.C.N.Z.). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Manama, Wgtn. 7 a.m. today (Gladstone Pier). Coastal Trader, Dunedin, tomorrow. Amokura, Marsden Point, tomorrow. Forum New Zealand, Auck, tomorrow. Flinders Bay, Auck, June 4. Anco Endeavour, New Orleans, June 5. Freezer Queen. Auck, June 5. Wanderer, Christmas Island. June 6. Coastal Trader. Auck. June 8. Ebalina, Singapore, June 8. Union Hobart, Wgtn, June 9. Cape Rodney, Christmas Island, June 9. Coastal Trader, Dunedin, June 10. Union Hobart, Dunedin, June 11.

Eagle ArrOw, Timaru. June 12. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Marama, Auck, today. Austral Envoy, Wgtn, today. Coastal Trader, Auck, tomorrow. Forum New Zealand, Napier, tomorrow. Amokura, Timaru. June 4. Anco Endeavour, Wgtn, June 6. Elsfleth, Timaru, June 6. Flinders Bay, Jeddah. June 6. Coastal Trader, Dunedin, June 8. Union Hobart. Dunedin, June 9. Wanderer, New Plymouth, June 9. Coastal Trader. Auck, June 10. Union Hobart, Wgtn, Nelson, Sydney, June 11. VESSELS IN PORT Austral Envoy, Cashin Quay No. 3. YuzhnonlOrsk, No. 1 Breastworks. Elsfleth. No. 3 West.