New Pollution Ship Heads for Completion

The six week conversion was carried out at Con-Mar Ingenieurtechnik, the former Luhring Werft. The ship, which already had gear including a bow oil skimming flap and powerful high vacuum suction, was shortened by 13.2m to 66.3m and the loading capacity was reduced by 570m 2. An outer hull cooling system was installed, the forecastle was raised, pipes were installed, the hydraulic system changed and a new auxiliary diesel engine plant and new accommodation installed. Officials said the conversion had brought Luneplate up to the standard of Germany’s other coastal pollution combat vessels like Vilm and Strelasund .The ship is now back at main contractors Heise Schiffsreparatur & Industrieservice, which won an EU wide tender late last year to handle the transformation of the former sea/river vessel into an ocean-going oil combat ship for Cuxhaven’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (CCME).

Managing director Werner Heise told MJ it was the biggest such project and conversion ever for his facility and that Heise was confident of being able to tackle similar projects in future.

Luneplate will be ready in January, he said, prior to tests.

On handover the vessel will boast oil collection equipment in the form of free floating arms on both sides as well as efficient pumping gear.

The total cost of the project has been put at 4.5m, with the conversion itself reportedly costing more than 1m of the total. The CCME says it needs an additional ship on standby in the Weser Estuary because increasing ship traffic there means greater danger of accidents.

After completion, Luneplate will go into commercial service with Bremen tank cleaning company Albert Sunkimat when not needed.