Tsuneishi Marks 20th Year with 193rd Ship

Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc. unveiled its 193rd ship and four new ship models last September 16, 2014, in time for its two-decade shipbuilding operation in the country.

THICI named the SC-226 M/V Capricorn Trader, making it the 193rd ship launched by the Philippine-based shipyard. The Japanese-led company also unveiled new ship models, all of which are said to have corresponded to ecological and economic needs in the 21st century based on a Sea Green Star Scoring System.

M/V Capricorn Trader is described as a Kamsarmax bulk carrier which was developed by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding in 2004. The first of these ships was completed in 2005 at its head shipyard here in Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu Province.

This type of vessel is described, in an audio-visual presentation, to boost transport efficiency. Kamsarmax bulker comes with the fact that it meets the 229-meter ship length restriction for entry to the Port of Kamsar, a major bauxite shipping port in the Republic of Guinea.

The four new ship models are the TESS35, TESS45Box, TESS58, and TESS64 Aeroline. TESS stands for Tsuneishi Economical Standard Ship.

According to Tsuneishi Technical Services (Phils), Inc. general manager/board of director Engr. Segismundo Exaltacion, Jr. that the compact TESS35 is a 35,300DWT (deadweight metric tons) bulk carrier. It is the smallest among the said ship models with an overall length of 183.77 meters. This semi-box shaped handy bulker is capable of loading cargo stems of 30,000 metric tons, offering to load a wide variety of cargoes.

Meanwhile, the TESS45Box is a 45,300DWT bulk carrier with an overall length of 183 meters. This compact ship is designed to transport not only bulk cargoes but also wood pulps and steel products. Its cargo box-type hull is designed to increase versatility, cargo-handling efficiency and maintenance.

TESS58 is the latest model, and is known as an eco ship which means it employs energy-saving technologies in its hull design, featuring an electronically-controlled engine and reduced wind resistance, among others. Aside from its improved propulsion performance in still water, the TESS58 is said to perform well in actual seas while maintaining high fuel efficiency.

Considered by Exaltacion as the best product is the TESS64 Aeroline with a 63,700DWT and that fuel consumption performance improved by more or less 20 percent compared with the TESS58.

Expected delivery of the new ships is on March 2015.

Tsuneishi president Hitoshi Kono envisions Balamban to become the shipbuilding capital of the country and eventually in Southeast Asia in the next 20 years.

To achieve this, Kono said that they have to produce 25-30 ships annually without compromising world-class workmanship.

To make the vessels ecologically sound, Tsuneishi eyes a -40 (negative forty) percent carbon emissions reduction by 2020. (Maria Eleanor E. Valeros)

Image Credit: www.tsuneishi.co.jp