Diedrich tackles engine and lengthening jobs
Two out-of-season re-engining projects and a lengthening job have kept Germany’s Schiffswerft Diedrich even busier than usual this winter, reports Tom Todd.
Leaving the shipyard before winter’s end, yard spokesman Thomas Janssen told Maritime Journal, was the 57.13m long and 8.9m wide island ferry Frisia IX, belonging to Reederei Norden Frisia. The nearly 40-year-old ferry, which carries 740 persons in regular service between the north German mainland and Germany’s Frisian islands, docked in October for re-engining.
Its original two Volvo Penta 300kW engines were replaced by more powerful 368kW Volvo Penta units. The ship also underwent minor repairs and maintenance.
The Frisia IX work followed another re-engining project on the 35.17m long and 9.66m wide floating dredger Leerort. Diedrich installed two Hydro-Armor liftable rudder propellers Type 2400 HD, driven by 221kW Volvo diesels. They replaced two Schottel rudder propellers driven by 114kW Deutz diesels. Leerort, built in 1977 operates with the Waterways and Shipping Agency (WSA) in the port of Emden.
Along with the re-engining, maintenance work on the old dredger’s hull and deck were also carried out and the fuel tank was enlarged, Janssen reported.
WSA spokeswoman Claudia Thoma praised the Diedrich work on Leerort. In comments to Maritime Journal she said the new engine configuration had proved to be very successful.
Thomas Janssen said the shipyard, which is on the River Ems just inland from the port of Emden and regularly full of seasonal ship repair and overhaul projects, was this winter also lengthening the Wega II for owners AG Ems.
He said the work on the 20.27m long and 6m wide excursion passenger boat involved a 4.5m extension and was due for completion in the new year.
Other winter visitors to Diedrich have included the 42.4m passenger ferry ship Langeoog III for routine annual repairs and maintenance as well as underwater hull and external surface conservation. Other work has included propeller, shaft, rudder and bow thruster inspections, an annual DNV-GL class survey and air conditioning unit overhaul.
The 44.1m passenger ferry Baltrum1 was spending the winter months at Diedrich for similar repair, maintenance and conservation work. The much smaller 13.44m water taxi Baltrum IV also spent several months at the yard. It was given new underwater coating and has spent the winter on land.
