September 20 - Named after an opera by Wagner, MV Parsifal, which claims to be the world's joint-largest ro-ro vessel, is the latest addition to the deep-sea ro-ro fleet operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.
Parsifal (pictured below) was delivered at the end of August and will enter service sixth months after its sister, MV Tonsberg, described at the time by its owner, Wilhelmsen Lines Shipowning Malta, as the world's largest ro-ro vessel.
WWL say that the Mark V class are the most sophisticated ships ever built in the ro-ro sector and says that it expects them to strengthen the company's position as a global market leader within deep sea ro-ro transport.
The 41,554 dwt Parsifal and her sister Tønsberg are a new breed with heavy and OOG cargo capabilities which underpin WWL's foray into moving more over-dimensional and weighty cargoes.
The Mark V class vessel is the largest of its kind, with a length of 265 m offering a cargo volume of 138,000 cu m over six fixed decks (for the loading of high and heavy, non-containerised cargo as well as breakbulk) plus three hoistable decks.
WWL says that Parsifal's weather deck is arranged for the transportation of project cargo such as windmill blades, yachts and containers. At the same time, the ship's entire cargo hold is arranged for high and heavy cargo such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders and harvesters.
All cargoes are loaded and discharged over a 12 m wide stern ramp, which has a 505 tonne capacity and access to the main deck.
Speaking earlier this year about the Tønsberg, Jan Eyvin Wang, president and CEO of Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA, representing the owner of the vessel, said: "The Mark V class is the most sophisticated ro-ro vessel ever built with major innovative design criteria such as high ramp capacity, deck strength and height, low fuel consumption, good transportation economy and safe cargo handling. Together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, we have constructed a class of environmentally-friendly vessels with several unique features."
The general arrangement of the Parsifal matches that of the Tønsberg. All cargoes are loaded and discharged over a 12 m-wide stern ramp with a 505 tonne capacity with access to the main deck, deck 4.
The hull is double sided up to deck 5, which in addition to the main deck is also watertight. Fuel oil is stored in protected deep tanks both forward and aft.
The vessel's engine room is located aft, protected mooring stations both forward and aft and the wheelhouse/accommodation sits forward to give space for weather deck cargo.
MV Parsifal will commence service in the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics' round-the-world trade when fit out is complete. For a more in-depth look at the ship, please read the newbuild spotlight which is included in our September/October edition, due out at the end of this month.
