Small German yard tackles special projects

The inland facility, in Europe’s biggest inland port, Duisburg on the Rhine, was founded in 1898 as a newbuild, repair and conversion yard. To date it has delivered more than 430 specialist ship newbuildings. It is, however, the yard’s extensive repair and conversion experience, demonstrated in work on inland vessels, that has highlighted activity in the year just ended.

The “comprehensive” conversion of the 47m long sheerlegs vessel Ajax, serving with federal water and shipping authorities (WSA) in Coblenz, lasted “several months”, the yard reported.

A main aspect was the modernisation of the vessel’s Schottel rudder propeller. The propeller’s hydraulic system, including analogue control gear, was replaced and converted to modern digital BUS technology. The yard said the work meant “the targeted dismantling of some parts of the ship along with the relocation of several hundred metres of special cable and hydraulic connections”.

Ajax also underwent routine maintenance, overhaul and coating along with “extensive” work on its electrical system and the creation of redundant alternatives for all the vessel’s supply systems. Other work included the installation of air conditioning in the crew quarters and deck house.

The yard boasts a tradition of re-engining and engine repair and overhaul projects including the installation of new MTU, Wärtsilä, Mercedes-Benz and Iveco/FPT engines for customers. The latest such project has been the installation of new Volvo Penta engines of Type D16C-CMH and Dong Type DMTP 7500 2 gearings on the 15m long and 9m wide push boat Rhenus Datteln. At the same time the yard swapped Yanmar auxiliary diesel for stand foot generator equipment.

The latest project in the yard’s specialised bow thruster sector has been thruster efficiency and manoeuverability improvement on the 103m long and 11m wide inland motorship Silke Diane. Its bow thruster was converted from a two channel to a four channel unit. The yard also installed a four channel bow thruster on an unidentified inland pushboat/lighter vessel.

Finally, Meidericher Schiffswerft extensively restored the historic crane ship Fendel 147, now more than 90 years old and the last of a generation of such crane ships on the Rhine. Built in 1922, the 65.05m long and 9.02m wide vessel is of riveted steel and draws a maximum of 2.09m. The yard renewed its wooden hatch covers, carried out steel repairs to the hull and conservation work on the external hull, superstructures and onboard crane.

A second historic vessel also underwent general overhaul at the busy yard of late. The 75m long and 9m wide paddle steamer Oscar Huber was also built in 1921/22. The 90 year old veteran has served as a museum ship since 1974.

By Tom Todd