‘DY4001’, the lead ship built to Sinopacific’s Crown 63 design of 63,500DWT bulk carriers, successfully completed sea trials on February 17, in which she surpassed expectations. Built at Sinopacific’s Dayang Shipyard for French owner Setaf Saget, ‘DY4001’ began sea trials on February 11, recording speeds that exceeded design projections, and perfectly meeting all the items guaranteed in the contract for delivery.
Sinopacific Group Design and Dayang Shipyard conducted the trials to an integrated plan, in close co-operation with SETAF and Bureau Veritas (BV). Jean Labescat, technology general manager at Setaf Saget, was impressed with the sea trial’s outcome. “‘DY4001’ features outstanding performance and its design gives consideration to the owner’s operating benefits,” said Labescat. Based on Sinopacific’s Crown 58 design, the Crown 63 increases deadweight by 9 percent and reduces fuel consumption by 13 percent at the same service speed.
Sinopacific has optimised the vessel’s body lines and improved the design of its bulbous bow, propeller and rudder bulb, improving propulsion efficiency. The Crown 63 features a low-speed two-stroke electronic injection diesel engine from Doosan Engine. Its electronic injection system provides higher precision in fuel injection, improving combustion and working time, thereby reducing the fuel consumption and emissions.
Emissions have also been reduced by adopting a low-sulphur fuel system. Following the trials of ‘DY4001’, BV has issued Energy its first Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) cetificate in Asia for the ship , as well as its Green Passport certificate. ‘DY4001’ will be delivered at the end of February, followed in due course by her sister vessels will be in succession. Dayang Shipyard has 22 Crown 63 vessels planned for delivery in 2012.