Japan’s Tsuneishi Shipbuilding has completed its 200th Kamsarmax bulk carrier, the 81,588dwt Ultra Lion, at its yard in China for compatriot owner Kambara Kisen Co. The shipbuilder first started developing the Kamsarmax type in 2002, when it was requested to complete a bulk carrier that could safely berth at the Port of Kamsar, Guinea in West Africa, which is a major bauxite port that has a ship length restriction of 229m.
Tsuneishi increased the length of one of its 76,000dwt class Panamax ships by 4m, while keeping the vessel’s beam narrow enough to pass through the Panama Canal. This resulted in a 82,100dwt ship measuring 229m by 32.26m that had a cargo capacity of 97,000m3 on a maximum draught of 14.4m.
By using research facilities at Hiroshima University and the Monohakobi Technology Institute in Japan, Tsuneishi was able to improving the vessel’s energy-saving capabilities, including the addition of a low-vibration propeller and refined hull shape in 2010. The latest models have also incorporated the use of an electronically controlled main engine to provided an economical service speed of 14.5 knots.
