Hitachi Zosen Delivers Catamaran & 3,800-TEU Containership
Hitachi Zosen delivered the Shoko, a foilassisted catamaran of the SuperJet-30 series, from its Kanagawa Works to Ishizaki Steamship Co. Ltd.
The vessel—which measures 103 ft. (31.5 m) long, 32 ft. (9.8 m) wide with a six-ft. (1.9- m) draft—is the fifth of the seven SuperJet- 30 ships ordered from Hitachi Zosen, and the second to Ishizaki Steamship Co.
The Shoko is equipped with a computerized rolling control device in its hydrofoils, with its control effectiveness proven by its reported cruising performance. The Shoko is a hybrid-type vessel, with twin hulls equipped with submerged hydrofoils fore and aft. The vessel's weight is supported both by the buoyancy of the two hulls and the lift of the two hydrofoils. The vessel also features a wide deck and spacious cabin.
The computerized automatic control of the flaps attached to the hydrofoils reportedly reduces ship-body motion to about one-eighth that of an ordinary catamaran, ensuring comfort. The vessel is driven by two diesel engines and two waterjet drives, manufactured by Niigata Engineering Co., Ltd., to a maximum speed of about 38 kiiots.
3,800-TEU Containership Completed The M.V.Da He, a 49,375-gt containership capable of carrying 3,800 TEU containers, was recently completed at Hitachi Zosen's Ariake Works and delivered to China Ocean Shipping (Group) Co. (COSCO).
The vessel's sister ship, the Zhen He, was delivered in January, and one more ship of the same type is scheduled for delivery in June.
The 902-ft. (275-m) ship is powered by a Hitachi Zosen-Sulzer 9RTA84C diesel engine to produce a service speed of 24 knots. The engine, along with the generators, can operate on any grade of fuel oil. The Da He is the largest type of container ship ever delivered by Hitachi Zosen and is at the same time one of the largest vessels that can enter Shanghai harbor and pass through the Panama Canal.
The vessel's load efficiency is enhanced by arranging the holds with 11 rows of spaces for containers, the first such design for Hitachi Zosen-built containerships.
This hold arrangement makes it possible for the ship to carry 3,800 TEU containers, reportedly the largest number that can be carried by ships of this type and size. For more information on the vessel building capabilities of Hitachi Zosen, Circle 4 on Reader Service Card
