December 16 - China's Cosco Dalian Shipyard has been contracted by BigRoll Shipping to build two more MC class module carriers, bringing the total number of vessels under construction to four.
The first two vessels - BigRoll Barentsz and BigRoll Bering - were ordered in 2013 and are scheduled for delivery in late 2015 and early 2016. HLPFI reported on October 20 that the first steel had been cut for BigRoll Bering at the Chinese shipyard.
The two additional vessels, BigRoll Baffin and BigRoll Beaufort - one of which was reported by HLPFI on September 30 - are due for delivery in mid 2016 and early 2017 respectively.
BigRoll's newly designed MC class module carrier vessel has been developed with a particular focus on high ballast capacity, low fuel consumption, high service speed, and excellent seakeeping behaviour - which BigRoll says will provide lower acceleration forces on the cargo.
The Dutch-flagged vessels are designed to deliver modules and equipment for large projects and with a 1A ice classification, are capable of traveling to remote areas, such as the Arctic regions as well as directly offshore.
BigRoll Barentsz, Bering and Baffin.
