Chinese-Polish state-owned carrier Chipolbrok, which operates more than 30 vessels, is pushing ahead with its fleet modernisation by adding a new class of large multipurpose heavy-lift ships optimised for project and energy-related cargoes. The latest design is intended to increase cargo intake compared with the company’s existing 62,000 dwt multipurpose vessels, especially when carrying wind power components, while reducing fuel use and complying with current environmental rules.
As part of this programme, Chipolbrok has booked four 60,800 dwt multipurpose heavy-lift ships at Taizhou Sanfu Ship Engineering in China, further expanding its newbuilding pipeline. The multipurpose and heavy-lift joint venture did not disclose contract pricing for the series.
The new class is described as the first in the MPP segment to incorporate bow thrusters, a feature intended to improve handling during port approaches and berthing. The vessels will adopt a fore-bridge arrangement, shifting the accommodation block toward the bow to free up continuous deck space for large units.
Optimised for heavy and out-of-gauge loads, each ship will be just under 200 m long with a beam of 32.3 m. The design provides a wide, largely unobstructed deck strengthened to 4.5 t/sq m, allowing stowage of dense and oversized cargoes. Lifting equipment will consist of three 200-tonne cranes, which can be combined to deliver a maximum lifting capacity of up to 400 tonnes.
To widen employment options, the vessels are laid out for project, bulk and container trades. They will have four cargo holds, including an open-hatch configuration, and offer a container intake of up to 3,180 teu, carried mainly on deck.
According to Chipolbrok, the hull form and machinery arrangement are intended to reduce fuel consumption while meeting IMO Tier III emissions limits and EEDI Phase III energy-efficiency requirements.
